Thousands of people will fill the streets for the first walk night on Christmas Tree Lane

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Christmas Tree Lane, one of the oldest holiday traditions, will soon kick off in the Valley.

Wednesday night the lane will be filled with thousands of people walking down the Van Ness Boulevard to take in the sights. The twinkling of thousands of lights and illuminated figures line Christmas Tree Lane for its 93rd year this month.

At Dean Alexander's house Santa, The Nutcracker, and more lights than you can count are up and ready for the crowds. "Today is crunch day. You've a got a thousand things before the main event, but it's wonderful. It's something that gives back to the community and bringing smiles to people's faces."

A two-mile stretch of the Van Ness is decorated and 140 homes are part of the holiday event. Just hours before opening some homes were still getting decked out. Manuel Orosco has been decorating his home for years. "The smiles on little kids faces. Some, I've been doing (this) for 15 years, I've watched them grow and they're happy to see me again each year"

Each home has their own flair and style, some depicting classics while others are new age.

The lane will first open to those on foot, for its annual walk night. "When you walk it you absorb it, you experience it, you slow down and you can actually experience the presence of the trees and the music and the laughter," explained Lee Ayres, Tree Fresno.

Tree Fresno has been a partner of the walk night since 1992. The group is also offering a shuttle for $7, taking people to the beginning or end of the lane. Funds raised help educate and plant trees in the Valley.

You have a chance to see some of your favorite characters from Santa to elves to the abominable snowman at Christmas Tree Lane, which runs until December 25th.

The walk night kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and runs until 10:00 p.m. The next planned walk night is December 8th.