Coralville’s “Aisle of Lights” Will Shine Bright this Sunday

The lights continue to shine as communities in Eastern Iowa consider creative options to let the spirit of Christmas be seen and felt despite the pandemic of 2020.

For those ready for some crafty involvement and community participation in Coralville, Iowa's News Now says the town is having its annual  "Aisle of Lights" this Sunday, December 13 from 5-9 p.m.

The City of Coralville's website describes the event as something very unique: "see how thousands of white paper sacks, each filled with sand and a votive candle, create a magical scene on a winter evening! Miles of luminarias are available for viewing by foot or car. Aisle of Lights is held annually on the second Sunday in December."

You can watch or be among the local residents or businesses to participate in making a "luminaria".

• Pick up a white paper sack at either Coralville City Hall (1512 7th St.) or Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th St.).
• Bring a container to the Aquatic Center at 1513 7th St. in which you will transport sand.
• Buy votive candles from local Coralville retailers
• Place sacks, weighted with sand and a candle, along your sidewalks (roughly every third sidewalk square). Tip: Fold the top edge of the sack down for extra sturdiness.
• Light your candles by 5 p.m. on Sunday and they ask that you then clean up by 9 a.m. Monday.

Residents and businesses throughout Coralville are invited to light luminarias on their sidewalks. City and community volunteers will light luminarias on:

• 5th Street (1st Avenue to S.T. Morrison Park)
• 12th Avenue (Highway 6 to Oakdale Boulevard)
• Holiday Road (1st Avenue to 12th Avenue)

The event will be held "snow or shine". They note that wind, sleet, or rain might affect the event, but still encourage you to light luminarias if safely possible.

Coralville residents are participating in a community-wide Christmas light display too, and you can see a map of those here.