The Rose Crossing luminaria display will shine once again Saturday on Christmas Eve.

The long-standing Flathead Valley tradition that was put on hold in 2010 has been reborn thanks to Evergreen Fire Rescue.

For more than 20 years, people have enjoyed driving Christmas Eve along the Rose Crossing luminaria display. For the last decade the luminaria project was organized and largely funded by the Lister family.

As Kim and Mark Lister’s children grew up, married and moved away, and neighbors also moved on, the task became too great for the Listers to handle themselves.

“The Evergreen Fire Department called the next day after last year’s article in the Inter Lake about the luminaria display being discontinued,” Kim Lister said. “We’re very, very happy about it. They’ve just been terrific to work with. It’s awesome to see the baton passed and see that they have their own dream to make it even better. We’re thrilled.”

The firefighters and staff of the Evergreen Fire District will adopt the annual project and place lit luminarias along the two-mile stretch of Rose Crossing that winds between U.S. 2 East and Whitefish Stage Road.

The fire department is selling the luminarias for members of the community to purchase as memorials to honor loved ones. Proceeds this year will go to the Evergreen Boys and Girls Club.

“When we decided to do this, all the guys stepped up and put up the initial money to get it started,” Fire Chief Craig Williams said. The Evergreen Lions and Rotary clubs then reimbursed the staff.

“Our ultimate goal is to grow this into a bigger display and a bigger fundraising effort primarily for the Evergreen community,” Williams said. “Next year, we’d like to also set up luminarias on Rose Crossing east of U.S. 2 to Helena Flats School.

“We’d like to be able to offer college-bound Evergreen kids with scholarships and support other charities as well with the money we raise.”

Members, friends and family of Evergreen Fire Rescue Station 81 already have volunteered their time to assemble the 1,500 luminarias needed.

“The luminarias are ready to go,” Williams said. “All people need to do is swing in to the Evergreen Fire Department and donate $5 per bag. They can personalize them if they wish with the name of a loved one and then we’ll set them out for them.”

People also can make cash donations. Write “Luminaria Fund” on your check and mail it to Station 81, Evergreen Fire Rescue, 2236 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

About 40 volunteers will begin placing the luminarias at 2 p.m. Christmas Eve and they will remain lit until 11 p.m., when they will be collected.

“We’ll be there to walk them through it and share our ideas of how to make it go smoothly,” Kim Lister said.

“We just think this is a great tradition. It’s neighbors helping neighbors and we’d like to continue it,” Williams said. “It’s a pretty cool display and provides a little peace in our lives.”

For more information, visit www.evergreenfirerescue.net.

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.