NORTH ADAMS - Santa and Mrs. Claus were greeted like rock stars by their diminutive fans as they alighted from the historic North Adams Trolley on Friday night.
Their arrival was the culmination of the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the top of Main Street.
The street around Monument Square was packed with young and old alike as holiday music from Drury High School band members cut through the frigid air.
FLASH VIDEOS
Christmas Lighting
At the two churches facing the tree - First Baptist and First Congregational - hot chocolate was handed out to keep the attendees warm.
Some youngsters weren't quite sure what to make of Ana Gentes, who was dressed up a like a Christmas tree and handing out goodies. Her green foam costume was covered with tinsel and a star was perched on her head. Gentis said she would light up right after the big tree did.
"Last year, I gave out a 1,000 candy canes but this year, I didn't want any of the kids to choke so I gave out little bracelets for the girls," said Gentes. This was her sixth year volunteering at the event for First Baptist Church. "Oh, I love it, it's so much fun."
Two-year-old Celia Falco was so excited she was having trouble holding still. Clutching a little light-up Rudolph the Reindeer, she flipped around trying to take everything in.
"She wants Santa, she wants the tree, she wants everything," said her grandmother Terry Hartman as mom, Ashlee Falco, picked the toddler up. This was Celia's first time at the event, said Hartman. They planned to ride the trolley after Celia got to see Santa.
The emcee for the event was Paul Hopkins, community relations director for Northern Berkshire Healthcare; Diane Maynard led the crowd in a singalong.
As he has for the past five years, Mayor John Barrett III reminded residents of the servicemen and -women who are far from home this holiday season.
"We have many of our soldiers who are not going to be home this Christmas," he said. "Let's remember them in our prayers and let's remember how fortunate we are to have these young men and women who are out there doing the work for the United States.
"Wether we agree with [the war] or not, it's irrelevant. There they are the front lines and they won't be home this Christmas. Let's remember them when we gather with our families, and realize just how lucky we are."
The crowd then joined Hopkins in counting down the lighting of the tree; the mayor flipped the switch with the help of youngsters Sarah and Brian Czarnecki.
The downtown lit up from Monument Square to City Hall, accompanied by cheers. The holiday trees at the top and bottom of Main Street had been donated by Barbara Bennett of Adams and Delia Martin of North Adams.
The Clauses arrived with a police escort of flashing lights and screams from their adoring fans, many hoisted on the shoulders of adults for a better view.
The crowd barely parted for the couple, as they worked their way to the stage. Within a half-hour, some 500 goody bags had been placed in eager hands.
The crowd began to thin, with some headed to the spaghetti supper in the Baptist Church, others waiting a ride on the trolley to the downtown stores staying open late, and still others off to home.
Rosemarie Thomas, 69, likes to attend the event. "If there's something going on, I'm probably there."
"It's fun with all the little kids," said the North Adams native. "They get their bags from Santa and they clutch them so tight."
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FLASH VIDEOS
Christmas Lighting
At the two churches facing the tree - First Baptist and First Congregational - hot chocolate was handed out to keep the attendees warm.
Some youngsters weren't quite sure what to make of Ana Gentes, who was dressed up a like a Christmas tree and handing out goodies. Her green foam costume was covered with tinsel and a star was perched on her head. Gentis said she would light up right after the big tree did.
