And so it began, the making of a 45-year tradition known today as Las Noches de las Luminarias, the Garden’s longest-running tradition, shining bright for more than four decades with no end in sight. Welcoming more than 50,000 visitors during its run each year, the experience is visually extraordinary. However, the magic behind the scenes, before the joyous seasonal event, is equally impressive. What began as a volunteer effort has remained a “many hands make light work” endeavor. Las Noches de las Luminarias is made possible because of the commitment of more than 70 pairs of volunteer hands each season and cumulatively hundreds of volunteer hours dedicated to creating one of Arizona’s most beloved holiday events. A well-oiled machine, the process leading up to the festivities commences with a call for volunteers on the Desert Botanical Garden’s website. Those serving as ongoing volunteers can express specific interest in helping with the event. Heading up the streamlined process is a mix of staff from event services to the horticulture team, who execute planning and prepping leading up to Lumi Bagging Day. That’s when the magic begins. Lumi Bagging Day Fueled by breakfast burritos and coffee, Desert Botanical Garden staff, community and volunteers gather bright and early in an all-hands-on- deck spirit, ready for assembly-line work to create each luminaria. The timing is precise as Lumi Bagging Day typically happens only a few days before the event opens to the public. Upon choosing a position, volunteers take their place at various stations, including cleaning, filling, positioning and deployment. A demonstration of the luminaria components and order of operations happens, and then it’s go time. The Process • Wiping/cleaning the lumi bag • Filling the bag with decomposed granite • Placing the plastic souffle cup in lumi bag • Adding the wax candle to lumi bag • Moving the assembled lumi bags to flatbed carts • Deploying the lumi bags on trails The well-orchestrated process takes approximately 3.5 hours and produces 8,000 luminarias. Once set in place, the luminarias stay in position throughout the entire Las Noches de las Luminarias run. The event takes place Dec. 1-31, with tickets for the general public at $39.95 for adults and $16.95 for children 4-17. Member prices are $34.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 4-17. Children 3 and under are free. CREATING CULTURE 16 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

A Gift for the Ages The gift that keeps on giving has evolved through the years. As popularity increased, so did the sophistication of the luminaria components and the number of bags. New materials and different types of lights, including luminarias, twinkle lights and LED up-lights for exterior surfaces (electric and battery-operated) were incorporated, totaling nearly 200,000 twinkling lights covering trails, rooftops, walls and more. In 1978, the luminarias were comprised of a brown paper bag, sand and a candle. In 2006, reusable bags made of ¼”-thick polyethylene replaced the brown paper and are used today. The sand that once filled the bag is now decomposed granite, making for a sturdier bag. Meanwhile, a plastic souffle cup serves as a transparent and safe solution for holding the wax votive candle, providing the perfect golden glow. Light It Up You may wonder: All the pieces are in place, but who lights the candles? Allow us to enLIGHTEN you. Volunteers are not only instrumental in assembling the famed luminarias, but they have also been integral in the lighting of the lumi bags during its 45-year run. Back in the day (pun intended), it was a At Remedy Salon and Spa, our goal is to take great care of all who enter and the community in which we live. Located in Scottsdale’s highly desirable McCormick Ranch neighborhood, Remedy Salon and Spa is adjacent to some of the most popular coffee shops and restaurants in town. Book online at remedysalonspa.com 8220 North Hayden Rd, C-110 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-794-1754 Thousands of hand-lit luminarias will interweave with large-scale sculptures by Arizona-based artist Rotraut, making for a picture-perfect night.