Nobody wants to be the person who has to stop a band mid-song.
But Saturday night, master of ceremonies Chris Duffy did what he had to do.
You make exceptions when the big man himself arrives on scene.
“Whoa, whoa guys I hate to do this, but our special guest has arrived,” Duffy said as he jumped on stage. “I think everyone here knows who I mean, it’s Santa Claus.”
St. Nick rolled into Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on the top of a Highlands fire truck with a police escort leading the way. As anxious children made their way toward the front of the crowd, Santa entered stage right and wished everyone a merry Christmas before starting the annual five-second countdown preceding the lighting of the Highlands Christmas tree.
The tree lighting ceremony is a long-standing Highlands tradition and the Chamber of Commerce made sure 2022 felt extra special. There were cookies and hot cocoa for festive revelers, holiday-themed artwork prepared by local school children was displayed on a giant projection screen, Silly Ridge filled the air with traditional carols and bluegrass holiday classics.
After addressing the crowd, Santa Claus made his way to his park shelter to hear all of the Christmas wishes of local children. Ice skaters filled the rink, and photo opportunists snapped selfies in front of the beaming spruce tree.
Not only was Founders Park filled with tens of thousands of Christmas lights, the event also signaled the flipping on the Main Street decorations. Many businesses stayed open late as the crowd dispersed from the park and spread across town.
The tree lighting is the first in a series of holiday events presented by the Chamber. Next up is the Highlands Christmas parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 on Main Street. This year the parade will feature the Western Carolina University “Pride of the Mountains” marching band.