"Conversations faltered, voices broke. The emcee, actor Edward James Olmos, welcomed the crowd with a wavering voice full of emotion. "You have no idea, especially after this year that we've had," said Olmos, a longtime L.A. resident. "I'm crying now but I want to thank you so much for bringing about one of the most extraordinary events to the United States of America.""
"Saturday was the 105th anniversary of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony and festival, but you couldn't quite call the night a celebration. It felt more like a memorial in a holiday wonderland. Along the near mile of the cedar-lined street, there were glorious lights, children singing and a soul-thumping procession by alumni of the John Muir High School drum corps. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there, along with a tall skinny elf with curly ribbon hair who called himself Wrinkle Jingle Jangle."
Altadena's 105th Christmas Tree Lane lighting combined festive sights with palpable grief as residents still reeling from devastating January wildfires gathered along the cedar-lined street. A near-mile display featured deodar cedars, glowing lights, children's singing, the John Muir High School drum corps and costumed figures including Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf named Wrinkle Jingle Jangle. Many longtime residents displayed visible emotion as they honored losses; conversations faltered and speakers paused amid tears. Edward James Olmos spoke emotionally and thanked attendees. Pierre Dupuy, a lifelong resident whose family homes were among those affected, was chosen to turn on the lights, reflecting deep personal ties.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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