“The Christmas Light Lady’: Iconic Wasilla neighborhood celebrates 10 years of synchronized Christmas lights with the community and hot cocoa

WASILLA — There’s a reason hundreds of people make their way through a little neighborhood near the Parks Highway off South Vicki Way. For the last 10 years, countless people have tuned their radios to a designated station and entered a cozy Christmas getaway that’s lit up like the North Pole thanks to the efforts of Raquel Luna and her family.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the neighborhood is ceremoniously adorned with Christmas decorations and all the houses, lawns and driveways are covered with twinkling lights. There are several moving pattern lights like a swirling Christmas tree.

All the lights are synchronized other and move to the rhythm to holiday music ranging from soulful classics to modern heavy metal orchestras and electronic dance remixes.

Some park their cars to watch while others slowly make their way through, all with their lights dimmed for the best viewing experience. The various lights and rigs flicker on and off in a mesmerizing manner.

There are a mailbox and donation collection post at the end of the road where everyone turns around and slowly exits the neighborhood. Kids of all ages gleam with wide smiles out the windows of their parents’ cars. Seeing those joyful reactions is what motivates Luna to put in the work to set up each year.

“That makes it all worth it,” Luna said.

Luna and several family members stood near the comment box and a small fire, readily handing out free candy canes and cups of hot cocoa to visitors. Luna said they tried it over a weekend hot cocoa two years ago and wanted to bring that back. This time, they’ve been out there every night the weekend leading up to Christmas Eve and may even come out on Christmas Day.

“Just something different,” Luna said. “It’s been so cold but warm hot chocolate always makes you feel good. Everybody likes hot chocolate.”

Several people leave comments, letters, and donations every year. Luna said that she keeps everything people write and loves reading what they have to say.

“It’s not just a comment to me. It means more,” Luna said.

She recalled the story of a young girl who put her letter to Santa in the box. The girl’s address was in the letter so she went out and found what she asked for. She dropped the gifts off outside the house, said she was “Santa’s helper,” left it at that, and drove off.

“Everybody comes out. We’ve all been doing it over the years,” Luna said. “I kinda’ look at it as my elves. They’re all my elves.”

Luna said that she started putting this all together to spread some joy, holiday cheer and give back to the community. She said all the neighbors gave her the green light to incorporate their houses and connect their power to synchronize to the beat.

She said she provides all the lights and decorations. She does all the set up with the support of her family. This year, she had additional help from various volunteers from the community.

“I just try and brighten up everyone’s Christmases and bring everyone a smile basically,” Luna said.

She said that she was grateful for all the help her family offers each year and she greatly appreciates her neighbors for letting her use their electricity.

Luna said that numerous people around town refer to her by the moniker she’s earned over the years.

“They call me the ‘Christmas Light Lady,’” Luna said with a laugh.

Luna said that many families have adopted this festive, flickering experience to their list of holiday traditions. She said many people come through multiple days over the course of the season.

She said that the Central Mat-Su Fire Department sends its trucks and firefighters through the neighborhood every year. This year, they came through, flashed their lights, adding to the show. They also got out to visit with Luna, her family and take pictures.

Luna has lived in that neighborhood for over 40 years. She lives directly across the cul-de-sac from where she grew up.

“This is home,” Luna said.

Luna said that she hopes this neighborhood will be her legacy and what people think about when her memory comes to mind. She also wants her children and various family members to keep the tradition going.

“If the one thing that people remember about me is this light show and the happiness and joy it brought so many people, then I lived my life the right way,” Luna said.

Luna said they’re planning to keep the light show going through New Year’s Eve and most likely through New Year’s Day.

Luna’s 11-year-old granddaughter Rio Ward was one of several family members helping hand out cocoa throughout the evening. She said that she loves to tell all her friends about it and have them come see it for themselves.

“Seeing all the lights just puts me in the Christmas spirit,” Ward said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com