The Town of Lloyd celebrated the upcoming holiday season last Friday with a 30-year-old tradition, the ceremonial lighting of the town’s Christmas tree in front of the First United Methodist Church.

The annual production is the creation of the town’s events committee, with the help of the Town of Lloyd staff, which coordinates the closing of Vineyard Avenue and Main Street and decorating.

This year’s event featured street vendors, music from the Highland High School Band, hot chocolate courtesy of Calvary Chapel and donuts courtesy of the Southern Ulster Rotary Club.

While getting a donut, people could enter a raffle for several prizes. According to one staff worker, the Rotary Club raffle is “The best raffle in the area.” And with 25 prizes that were a minimum of $200 in value, they certainly try to live up to their claim of being the best in the area. Some prizes included Weekend getaways, cash, televisions and much more. All the proceeds go to charity-based endeavors to help the community, such as Thanksgiving food and coats to give to the homeless.

Reggie Osterhoudt,who has directed this event for 10 years, estimated that the line for Santa was “a solid 90 minutes.” 

Apparently it was with the wait. During the two-hour event, Santa was able to sit with an estimated 400 kids.

While waiting for the line for Santa to get shorter, kids could try to win a snazzy Christmas pencil from the Highland Interact Club, while parents sat by a campfire to sing campfire songs. The event helps get people to come out and celebrate Christmas and commemorate the community spirit made in the process.