For the past 14 years, McAnsh Park resident Mary Mitchell has organized a huge Christmas Eve block party, with residents lining their streets with luminaria and inviting the whole community to enjoy what has recently been dubbed Christmas Adam.
People filled the residential streets as roving bands of revelers strolled about on foot or rode in convertibles and decorated golf carts, wandering through the neighborhood, greeting old friends and new visitors.
Following months of planning, Mitchell began the night’s festivities with friends at her quaint Avilla Avenue home before zooming around in a lighted golf cart to check out the fun at the other homes.
“I went down to my friend’s house in Palm Beach the year after I moved here and they did one like this all over their community,” said Mitchell. “I said oh boy, I have to do one in my new little neighborhood.”
Mitchell estimates about 90 percent of the neighborhood participates, whether just lighting the luminaria or going all out with decorations. The variety of entertainment changes as longtime neighbors move out and new ones move in. Before they graduated and went off to college, the well-regarded string quartet Stringsations would even dress in tuxedos to play for the crowds.
“Each year it changes. Some of the people sit out and serve food or drink in front of their houses as we walk by, or just put out a tray of cookies and punch,” said Mitchell. “We do not do donations or make it for a cause. This is just a night to meet and enjoy our neighbors.”
One perennial favorite is the home of Mark and Laura Piper, who transform their corner lot at Victory and Cordova into a central meeting spot. They set up an elaborate lawn party, featuring a big screen playing holiday favorites for the kids, along with a popcorn machine, hot dogs and punch. This year they went a bit grander, setting out Chinese lanterns and high-top tables on the lawn for adults to perch on with their food and drink.
“We have been doing it from the beginning,” said Laura Piper, acknowledging that it takes both effort and expense to put it on. “We do it because we love the Lord and we just want to share with everyone. And it’s the best birthday party of the year!”
Another new draw this year was a house on Cortez Avenue which had an extensive light display synchronized to music playing on radio station 93.1 FM. Having been promoted as one of the holiday houses to see in the county, it drew a steady stream of cars. Some stopped for just a song’s length while others parked to watch the magic a little longer.
“We will go from here to all the other streets and stop at the Pipers’ place but we just had to see this; it is just amazing,” said Tamby Cobb, watching with her family as the lights began to pulsate to another song.
“This night just shows the area’s great sense of community,” said Dorothy Frances-Osowski. “Mary did this all by herself in her little house and she got a few neighbors interested. It has just grown and been embellished from year to year.”