LAS CRUCES – An 18-foot menorah will be displayed on the Plaza de Las Cruces for the 13th year to kick off the first night of Chanukah this season.
Chabad Jewish Center of Las Cruces is once again hosting a Mega Chanukah event Sunday, Dec. 18. Community members are invited to take part in the free event and observe the kindling of the menorah. In past years, hundreds of people have attended.
Chanukah, or Hanukkah, is celebrated this year beginning the evening of Dec. 18 through the evening of Dec. 26. US Congressman-elect Gabe Vasquez will light the custom-made 18-foot menorah on the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights.
“Chanukah is the holiday where light triumphs over darkness,” said Rabbi Bery Schmukler, co-director at Chabad, in a news release. “Lighting the Menorah is a reminder to us to illuminate this world by increasing in random acts of goodness and kindness and spread physical and spiritual light throughout our surroundings.”
Live music by Mariachi Jalisciense from Texas will fill the night, mixing traditional music of two cultures. The Las Cruces Fire Department will drop chocolate gel from an extended fire truck into the crowd via glow-in-the-dark parachutes, and ODD LABB Entertainment will provide a fire show.
Attendees will also be able to pick up pairs of 3D glasses which will turn the holiday lights on the plaza into glowing dreidels, according to a news release. A Chanukah pop-up shop will be on site offering menorahs, candles and other decorations, while traditional jelly donuts, latkes, cotton candy, hot coffee and hot chocolate will be available for people to enjoy.
Kids can also enjoy family train rides around the plaza, crafts, face painting, games, prizes and a balloon artist. All children will receive a Chanukah T-shirt.
Festivities begin at 4 pm Dec. 18 at the Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St. The event is free and open to the public.
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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, [email protected] or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
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