E-mail Story
Print Friendly
Send E-mail
Reprint story
Monday, November 23, 2009
Luminaria Tour To Start Downtown
By Lloyd Jojola
Journal Staff Writer
The annual Christmas Eve luminaria tour in Albuquerque has a new launching point this year: from Downtown.
Tourgoers aboard ABQ RIDE buses will be departing from the Convention Center, where a festive waiting area in the center will be filled with costumed greeters, holiday decorations, Santa Claus and the Albuquerque Boys Choir.
"It's going to be a lot of fun, and it's going to be warm," said Desiree Cawley, ABQ RIDE marketing manager.
The buses departed from the Pit parking lot previously, but the venerable arena is in the midst of a renovation, which has affected some of the parking area, Cawley said.
This year, free parking for tourgoers will be provided in the Convention Center's East Side parking structure. The tour buses are expected to stage for departure on Second Street and on their return trip drop people off on Third Street.
The 45-minute to one-hour tour will take people to luminaria displays in the Old Town and Country Club areas, as well as Barelas and Los Altos neighborhoods and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
The ABQ RIDE buses used for the tour are provided a police escort, so that efficient traffic flow can be maintained.
"People have already been calling 311 wanting all the information. So I guess they're ready to go, wanting to buy tickets," Cawley said.
2009 Luminaria Tour
WHEN: Dec. 24
TOUR DEPARTURE TIMES: 5:20 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6:10 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. It is recommended that passengers arrive at least 20 minutes before their departure time. Vans to accommodate people with disabilities also will be available.
TICKETS: $7 per person, children under 5 are free. Ticket sales begin Friday. They can be bought online at www.myabqride.com. Cash payments will be accepted at the Alvarado Transportation Center at First Street and Central. Service hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Clear Channel radio stations also are providing a pre-sale opportunity to buy tickets on Nov. 24. Go to www.myabqride.com and click on "Special Events" to find the link to the stations. Tickets for the tour are limited.
You also can send comments via our comment form
|
|
