Harrisburg gathers for annual Christmas tree lighting

HARRISBURG - A crowd of about 100 people gathered Tuesday evening at the Saline Creek Historical Village and Museum on Feazel Street in Harrisburg to witness the city's annual Christmas tree lighting.

This year, Santa Claus was the guest of honor who flipped the switch, illuminating the live cedar tree decorated for the holiday each year on the museum grounds.

Mayor John McPeek addressed those gathered, thanking them for coming to the event despite chilly temperatures, gusting winds and snow flurries.

"I'm glad to see we had a good turnout despite the weather," he said.

The event also featured a live Nativity scene, complete with a live calf, donkey and sheep provided by Matt Horton of Harrisburg and his family, wife Debbye and son Matthew.

The live animals provided a slight challenge as they were guided into place in the Nativity scene, with local children portraying Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, wise men and angels, but quickly cooperated as people in the crowd took photos of the scene while snow continued to fall.