It’s a beloved Pasco tradition. It’ll light up your Saturday night

They’re simple, yet beautiful.

And this weekend, they’ll light up parts of Pasco, bringing delight and holiday cheer.

The 32nd annual Desert Plateau Neighborhood Luminaria is Saturday in the Desert Plateau, River Heights and First Place neighborhoods.

About 25,000 candle-filled sacks — called luminaries — will lines the streets in those areas. Many of the homes also will be decked out for Christmas.

People are invited to walk or drive by. The candles are lit at 6 p.m. and flicker until about 10 p.m.

The luminaria territory falls between Burden Boulevard and Argent Road, from Road 36 to Yuma Drive.

There’s no admission fee, but organizers are collecting donations of nonperishable food items for Second Harvest through a Fill the Bus drive.

The bus will be parked at McGee Elementary School, 4601 N. Horizon Drive. In the last two years, the luminaria event has brought in 21,000 pounds of food.

Bill Robb, the luminaria lead organizer, said the event started three decades ago as a way to bring the Desert Plateau neighborhood together.

It’s continued to build community and lift spirits.

“Neighbors got to know neighbors, families got to know families. Pretty soon, not only are you putting the candles in the bags on the street, you’re having driveway-garage parties,” he said.

“Being neighborly means that you have a better community,” Robb said.

To learn more about the luminaria, go to facebook.com/dpnlp.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 3:07 PM with the headline "It’s a beloved Pasco tradition. It’ll light up your Saturday night."