Special to the
Opelika Observer
Collinwood residents will continue Opelika’s oldest neighborhood Christmas tradition, one night only, Dec. 10 from 5-9 p.m.
For more than 45 years, the streets of Collinwood have been transformed into a magical Christmas journey commemorating the path of Christ’s birth. More than 1,500 candle-filled bags will line the way through various scenes of the Christmas story. Living scenes with people and animals conclude with the Nativity.
The luminaries, a tradition started in the neighborhood in 1967, follows an older tradition observed in Mexico. Several of the residents who started the tradition still live in the neighborhood, but it is a tradition embraced by the whole neighborhood as their Christmas gift to the community. The Collinwood tour is also supported by the Opelika mayor and City Council, Public Works Department of Opelika, Opelika Power Service and the Opelika Police Department. First United Methodist Church Youth group provides the characters for the live scenes along the way.
The Collinwood tour will begin at the corner of Tenth Street and Oak Bowery Road and will end at McLure Avenue. Collinwood residents invite all Lee County residents to come and enjoy the luminaries.
The tour is free, and all are invited to drive through as often as they like. Merry Christmas!