Luminaria Run

Luminaria Run has a NEW NAME
and a new route!

Stagecoach Village, Cave Creek's newest destination,

has joined the Luminaria Run as naming sponsor.

The event will start and finish at Stagecoach Village this year!

Interested in sponsorship information? Please email Maria or Lisa for details.

New Route Details

The new route has been finalized and approved by the Sheriff's department. It begins and ends at beautiful Stagecoach Village. Follow the links below to see maps of the routes:

Click here to see the 4-mile route

Click here to see the 2-mile route

Luminaria Crews Needed!!!

For Pageant AND Run

The Luminaria Run is one of Black Mountain Elementary School PTO’s biggest fundraising events of the year. We draw over 1200 runners to the area and raise between $10,000 and $15,000 for the school. The Christmas Pageant is a longstanding holiday tradition. Both events require Luminaria Crews!
We need 26 crews this year to cover the run route and pageant route ~ as of Nov. 11 we have 2.

A luminaria crew consists of 4-6 people and a pickup truck. If you have a truck and no crew, we’ll find a crew for you. If you have a crew and no truck, we’ll find you a truck.

Sat., December 6, 2008 ~ Luminaria Crews arrive at 1:30 p.m. for training and are done with their work no later than 4:00 p.m. (this time also includes a break for free food and drink at Big Earl’s Greasy Eats). Luminaria crew members can help place and light luminaria and will be done in time to participate in the race.

For further information visit www.luminariarun.com

OR email luminaria crew coordinator, Matt Reeves at mattreeves@cox.net OR call Meribeth Reeves at 602-769-0848.

Luminaria Folding Instructions

Yep! It's time to fold those 4000 luminaria! Here's how:

1.) With the bag unopened and folded flat, fold over the top of the bag one inch and make a crease.

2.) Turn the bag over and fold the top over again another inch to make a fan-like fold on the top of the bag.

3.) Open the bag all the way.

4.) Carefully fold down the top of the bag along the first crease. Starting at the corners helps lessen ripping. Don't panic if it does rip.

5.) Smooth down the fold along the edge of the bag.

6.) Fold the top down again along the 2nd crease line. Again, working from the corners and smoothing the fold once complete.

7.) When you have made both folds, fold the bag flat again and make sure the top is smooth.

8.) When you have folded 50 bags, place 49 of them into the 50th one. This can be done. You have to make sure your bags are all very flat and it helps to put some in top first and put some in bottom first.

A History of Support and Fun!

--by Meribeth Reeves, Race Director

When the idea of the Stagecoach Village Luminaria Run was first hatched five years ago, I remember walking the streets of Carefree and Cave Creek looking for sponsors who were willing to see the great event I saw in my mind's eye.

For the most part, I was met with blank stares and un-returned phone calls. Even the BMES PTO at the time somewhat reluctantly supported the event. Afterall, who was I and what was the big deal about a luminaria-lit race?

Well, being a runner, I knew the big deal was a unique, beautiful event like no other in the valley. I was pretty sure it could generate some income for our school.

While many I approached were reluctant (to say the least) to support this crazy idea; some were willing to "give it a go" and were extremely supportive from the start. These included Indian Village whose owner, Bart was willing to provide his delicious frybread to all the runners (now a staple at the event) and whose excitement and enthusiasm provided much-needed encouragement.

Arizona Running Events Company was also there from the start...providing great service and timing to our runners and making the event very special. Peggy Sheedy was the one who really encouraged the event--giving support to a crazy idea.

The next great group was the Rotary of Carefree/Cave Creek who helped sell sponsorships that first year and brought a large group of volunteers to the table to light luminaria and work our registration tables.

Though most weren't sure what to make of the event, Black Mountain PTO folks also came forward and provided hundreds of volunteer hours and registration support. Enthusiasm grew dramatically when they saw the over 500 runners who showed up for our inaugural year! Now the Luminaria Run is a favorite event of current BMES parents and even those whose children no longer attend the school. The great turnout of runners and the warm, community feel of the event are what makes everyone so excited to be a part of it.

CSHS Key Club had a longstanding tradition of supporting luminaria placement and lighting for the Cave Creek Christmas Pageant and they were willing to put those skills to work for our run. Each year they provide several luminaria crews and are an integral part of the planning process.

The folks at Wilhelm Automotive were also with us from the very beginning. First doing a Silver Sponsorship and moving up to an Award sponsorship the past two years.

Ric's Body & Paint and Renaissance Exterior Development have been sponsors of ours from the beginning and others like RES Design Services and Desert Forest Realty have joined us for several years.

Bashas' Carefree has donated luminaria bags for each year of our run AND for every year of the Christmas Pageant. That is 55 years of donating Luminaria bags. That comes out to more than 220,000 bags donated throughout the years!

Throughout the years we have had many additional sponsors join us -- last year being our best-supported year yet. Each and every sponsor is important to us. When you browse through this site, take a moment to pay some special attention to our sponsors. Make a special effort to patronize their business and make sure to tell them you appreciate their support of the Stagecoach Village Luminaria Run!