Dec 6, 2013

The annual “Miracle on 34th Street” display draws thousands of visitors to Hampden to see the spectacular holiday lights of the 700 block of W. 34th Street. Look through images taken by Baltimore Sun photographer Kenneth K. Lam, who this year documented residents setting up their decorations ahead of the grand lighting on Nov. 30.

: Elaine Doyle-Gillespie tests lights in her yard with the help of her 2-year-old daughter Piper. Residents illuminated the celebrated “Miracle on 34th Street” holiday display on Nov. 30 this year. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Helped by his friend, Zach Titford (right), metal artist Jim Pollock prepares to decorate his rowhouse in the 700 block of W. 34th Street in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Strings of holiday lights get wrapped around an outdoor railing at Jim Pollock’s rowhouse in the 700 block of W. 34th Street in Hampden as residents prepare for the annual “Miracle on 34th Street” celebration. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Al Morgan (left), and Vi Nguyen, both residents of the 700 block of W. 34th Street in Hampden, make wooden supports for their light decorations. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Sharon Burke hangs plastic mistletoe on the arch leading to her home on 34th Street. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: One of the many unique decorations that make up the “Miracle on 34th Street” display in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Jerry Jackson, a resident of the 700 block of W. 34th Street in Hampden, takes a break as he sets up holiday decorations for the “Miracle on 34th Street” display. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Hubcaps are ready for hanging on the hubcap Christmas tree in front of artist Jim Pollock’s house on W. 34th Street in Hampden. The hubcaps were mostly found in the neighborhood after a bad winter. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: In preparation for the “Miracle on 34th Street” grand lighting, resident Jim Pollock (right) puts the hubcap tree toppper on the 10-foot frame of his hubcap Chritmas tree as Zach Titford assists. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Kurt Hoffman and Aaron Wong, renters on the 700 block of W. 34th Street in Hampden, go with a romantic flair — pink flamingos nestled under trees that are wrapped with strings of lights year round. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Hacari Waithe, new to W. 34th Street, makes final changes to her decorations an hour before the grand lighting of the “Miracle on 34th Street” display in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A close-up view of Snoopy decorations that are part of this year’s “Miracle on 34th Street” holiday display in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Sharon Burke makes last-minute adjustments to the lights outside her home before the “Miracle on 34th Street” grand lighting. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: This view of the 2013 lighting of the “Miracle on 34th Street” Christmas display in Hampden shows the rowhouses on the south side of the street. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Jessica Curtis and her boyfriend, Mike Shisler, check their cell phone photos with the lights of the “Miracle on 34th Street” display in the background. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: After the grand lighting, visitors take in the “Miracle on 34th Street” displays, which include decorations featuring Natty Boh, Sally Utz and movies made in Maryland. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Holiday light displays reflect in a car window after the “Miracle on 34th Street” grand lighting on Nov. 30. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Visitors walk through the 700 block of 34th Street enjoying the festive atmosphere after the “Miracle on 34th Streeet” grand lighting on Nov. 30. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A 10-foot hubcap Christmas tree serves as the centerpiece of the display in front of Jim Pollock’s rowhouse on W. 34th Street. Pollock, a metal artist, takes part each year in the “Miracle on 34th Street” tradition. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: “The best place to be in the entire world is Hampden on the first night of lights,” said Lou Catelli. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Santa Claus sits with children after counting down to the annual lighting of the “Miracle on 34th Street” in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: The street illuminates as Santa and Mrs. Claus finish the countdown to the the grand lighting, kicking off the “Miracle on 34th Street” holiday celebration in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

Owners flip the switch to turn on ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ display
By Erin Cox, The Baltimore Sun
November 30, 2013

The brightest block in Hampden flickered into full holiday kitsch Saturday night, its tens of thousands of lights twinkling, its hub-cap Christmas tree gleaming and its Natty Boh-themed display drawing oohs and ahhs from revelers.

Santa arrived in a pickup truck.

In unison, the homeowners flipped the switches to illuminate a block that’s earned regional renown for its annual “Miracle on 34th Street” holiday celebration.

“The best place to be in the entire world is Hampden on the first night of lights,” said Lou Catelli, who wore red corduroy shorts to pedal an adult-size tricycle up and down the street.

>Read the full story

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