A Peachtree City holiday tradition is expected to resurge this year at Christmas time, with more residents expected to stay close to home due to tightened budget belts and high travel costs. Band members and boosters at J.C. Booth Middle School are counting on it.

Placing luminaries along driveways and street curbs on Christmas Eve is a tradition that started as early as the late 70’s according to long-time residents queried on the subject. There weren’t more than a few thousand people in the city at the time and some of them wanted a more traditional Christmas. With the help of churches they put together caroling groups, and the luminaries became part of the way that the streets were marked for carolers. Placing luminaries on Christmas Eve soon became a tradition itself.

Luminaries are small paper bags weighted with sand and holding a lit candle. They are placed out on Christmas Eve along street curbs, walkways and driveways at about 6 foot intervals. The effect of the glowing lights is subtle, but spectacular.

“Your neighborhood doesn’t do luminaries? Start a new-old tradition. Let’s light up Peachtree City!” said Cathy Nelmes, luminary chairperson at J.C. Booth Middle School.

For more than two decades, Booth Middle School’s band students have been the only people selling luminaries as one of their premiere fund raisers. They use the proceeds to support band activities, instruments and other program expenses.

Band students are selling luminary kits for $4.50, with each kit containing 6 bags, 6 candles and sand. The sale ends October 31. Students will be going door to door in neighborhoods to take orders. Kits will be delivered by the end of November. If no one has come to your door and you would like students to come to your home or neighborhood, call Cathy Nelmes at 678-522-4256, or e-mail a request to cnelmes@earthlink.net

“This is a beautiful way for neighborhoods to join together and celebrate the Christmas season,” said Nelmes.

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