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Lights decorate yards and homes on Sunset Drive in Brawley. (CELESTE ALVAREZ PHOTO / December 23, 2012) |
BRAWLEY – Known to generations of Brawley residents as the “Christmas street,” Sunset Drive has been an inspiring piece of neighborhood unity for years with its illuminated display of holiday lights.
“I’ve been decorating my home for 38 years with my family and we love doing this. It’s just so peaceful and serene,” Carl Eddins said.
The closely knit neighborhood has worked hard to keep the light tradition going, even as neighbors have moved on or grown older.
“It’s a little different now. There’s no kids in the street anymore, but we still enjoy it because it’s something we can give back to Brawley and we’ve done it for years,” Eddins said.
Eddins and other residents have gone as far as to place decoration and lights on homes that are vacant.
“The neighbors know about the street. Some will decorate the same thing, others will add to their homes’ decorations. If there’s an empty house we’ll get out extra lights and we’ll decorate the house,” Eddins said.
New families to the area have also been able to be a part of the famous street, bringing their own flavor to the block.
“We’ve always set up for Christmas, so it makes it more exciting to be here,” Angelica Magaña said.
Spending the holiday season in the family’s new home on Sunset Drive, Magaña is glad she was able to join a neighborhood so connected.
“Many of the people that have live here, that I’ve met so far, have lived here for many years and it’s just a tradition and Christmas, I mean it’s about Christ, so there’s many God-fearing people around here, so that’s good because we recognize God,” Magaña said.
Like many local residents, Brawley native and city Mayor Pro Tem Miguel Miranda also recalls late nights spent cruising the notorious multi-colored street with his family.
“There is no other street like it; it’s always so beautiful. It’s a tradition in my family every Christmas,” Miranda said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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