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Kick off the holiday season with a tranquil glow on Saturday, December 7, as San Juan College (SJC) presents its annual gift to the community.For the 46th year, a sparkling display of up to 24,000 luminarias will illuminate rooftops, sidewalks, courtyards and select parking lots across campus. Walking routes open at 5 p.m. while the driving route opens at 6 p.m. Guests may also take advantage of the Park-N-Ride Red Apple Luminarias Trolley. To access the FREE service, park at Piedra Vista High School between 6 and 8 p.m. for a no-stress ride through the luminaria display aboard the Red Apple Trolley.
Only two entrances will be open during the event. Walkers may park in one of the following lots: Quality Center for Business (Lot #O), the School of Energy Parking lot, and the north Child and Family Development Center (Lot #P), which are accessible by traveling south on College Boulevard from Pinon Hills Boulevard.
Drivers will enter the College from Butler Avenue, traveling east on Sunrise Parkway. They will then follow the marked route through the campus and exit at College Boulevard, where traffic must turn south to 30th Street. Please note that the Pinon Hills Boulevard entrance to the College will be closed during the Luminaria display. As a courtesy, all drivers are asked to turn their headlights off as they drive through the display. Reducing light pollution during the event will ensure everyone has the most optimal luminaria experience possible.
Sounds of the season will ring campus-wide as San Juan College’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9 FM, broadcasts your favorite Christmas carols. The KSJE Facebook page will also provide live video coverage of the event several times throughout the evening.
Weather permitting, the San Juan College Planetarium will host its annual Luminaria Stargaze from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the inner courtyard near the Connie Gotsch Theatre. A telescope will be set up to view the night sky.
Mary’s Kitchen will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., with hot food available for purchase until 7 p.m. and retail snacks, beverages, and hot chocolate for sale until 9 p.m.
The SJC Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life coordinates this event with help from the San Juan College Physical Plant, students, staff, and community volunteers who set up and light the candles. The week prior, hundreds of area school children and high school students help fill paper bags with sand and candles, which are then set out by College students, staff, and volunteers.
San Juan College invites community members and groups to participate in this annual tradition on Saturday, December 7, by helping set up bags at 9 a.m. and lighting candles at 3 p.m.
The community is also welcome to pick up luminarias to recycle for their use after 2 a.m. on Sunday, December 8. SJC will begin the clean-up and disposing of any remaining luminarias starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, December 8.
For further information or to volunteer, contact the San Juan College Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life at 505-566-3588.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM, United States, New Mexico 87402
