GLENDALE : Holiday Tour Set in Distinctive Homes

Glendale will relive what is reportedly its longest-running holiday season tradition this weekend, but it’s not a parade, party or show.

Instead, on Saturday more than 100 people are expected to walk and wander through three stately northwest Glendale homes that have been decked out in full holiday regalia, designed by their owners and local florists.

Organizers of the Hoover Tour of Homes, which is entering its 37th year, said the leisurely event is a respite from the hectic holiday shopping pace and can inspire participants to do something seasonal for their own homes.

“This is such a fun event,” said Patricia Zung, tour chairwoman. “The homes are interesting, and you get some great decorating ideas,”

Each year, a committee of Hoover High School parents selects three houses in the area to be featured in the tour. Some homeowners offer their houses to the event, while others are approached by the committee.

This year, the tour will visit a 1929 Mediterranean villa at 551 Cumberland Road owned by the O’Connor family, a 1948 Colonial-style home at 601 W. Kenneth Road owned by the Lewis family, and a 1935 Spanish-style home at 335 W. Kenneth Road owned by the Ainge family.

Nancy Russell, a spokeswoman for the tour, said each of the houses was picked for its distinctive characteristics. The O’Connor house, she said, has hand-painted ceilings, while the Lewis home has an English pub-like bar with stained glass windows. The Ainge home has Moorish archways and wrought ironwork.

The tour is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets can be bought at the high school or the homes to be toured.

Zung said proceeds from the tour pay for student scholarships at Hoover High and for educational materials.