Baltimore’s Miracle on 34th Street holiday lights through the years

An overview of the Miracle on 34th Street light display in 2017, on the block of 34th street between Keswick and Chestnut.

Ross Townsend and his son, Flint, check out the light display on a house on 34th Street.

Raymond Bradley and his daughter, Ella Bradley, wander down 34th Street checking out the light displays.

Ross Townsend and his son, Flint, check out the light display on a house on 34th Street.

Ben Stewart of Bel Air holds his son Kye Stewart, 4, during the lighting of 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

Dan Levin of Lutherville holds son James Levin, 3, during the lighting of the Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

Arriving on the back of a pickup, Santa Claus greets visitors including Luka Daly, 13 months, of Baltimore, who rides atop father Rodrigo Daly.

People wait for the lighting for the 2016 Christmas season on 34th Street.

Arriving on the back of a pickup, Santa Claus greets visitors at the 2016 lighting of the Miracle on 34th Street.

Spectators react as the homes are illuminated simultaneously on 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

From left, Lisa Smith of San Antonio, Texas, Kylee Kurtz of Absecon, N.J., Nicole DeRosa of Baltimore and Dominic Fornarotto of Absecon, N.J., look at the displays on 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

Parker Gordon, 4, and sibling Kelsey Gordon, 2, of Mount Washington look at the displays on 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

Spectators react as the homes are illuminated simultaneously on 34th Street in Hampden for the 2016 Christmas season.

Spectators take pictures and video during the annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.

Guests embrace at one of the homes that were illuminated during the annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.

Baltimore, MD -- Santa Clas arrives by pickup during the annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun (frame#P3460553-010813.jpeg; )  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

The Christmas lights which were just lit for the season in Hampden for the holiday season.

Iris Fisher, 3-1/2, held by her father, Matt Fisher, catches sight of Santa Claus, who arrives by pickup during the annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.

The annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.

Spectators enjoy the light show at the annual Christmas lighting on 34th Street in Hampden.

From left, Iris Fisher, 3 1/2, with her father, Matt Fisher, and Frankie Riley, 3, sits atop her father, Mike Riley, and Miles Carscadden, 3-1/2, sits on Lucas Carscadden, all of Baltimore, who react during the annual lighting of Christmas lights in Hampden for the holiday season.

People crowd the 700 block of West 34th Street in Hampden on Saturday night for the annual lighting of the famous holiday display.   (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Onlookers take photos after the ceremonial lighting of the 34th Street Christmas lights Saturday night in Hampden.   (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

The block is lit up during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Ana DePina holds her daughter Amani Norman, 6, of Baltimore as they wait for the big moment during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Saleem Heggins of Randallstown and his 12-year-old sister Hope Heggins are amazed at the displays during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Houses are lit up during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Travis Pendergast of Timonium looks back as his son Will Pendergast, 2, looks at animated displays during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Onlookers take in the sights during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Santa Claus helps Ester Rehak, 8 of Baltimore to get an idea what she’d like for a gift during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

The man who is credited with starting the Miracle on 34th Street, Bob Hosier, smiles during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony on Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Rudy Lee (left) and Lauren Rosales, both of Baltimore, look at the lights at the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Lexie Mealey of Ocean City, N.J., (left) and Oskana Gomez of Elkton wait for the big moment during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Johnn Simmens of Columbia snuggles with Jamie Robinson of Woodstock as they wait for the big moment during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Santa Claus waves to a young admirer as he passes through the crowd during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Making his grand entrance on the back of a pickup, Santa Claus waves to everyone during the annual 34th Street Christmas lighting ceremony Saturday.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)