A snowy winter wonderland makes Christmas Tree lighting extra special

Posing immediately following the tree lighting are Anne Brown of Daystar, chairman of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley and four youngsters chosen to assist with the lighting. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Rochester's weekend holiday party got off to a rousing start on Friday with a blanket of new fallen snow that made the city's Christmas Tree lighting party extra special.

About 250 turned out to watch Studio 109 dancers perform, listen to Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley read the Christmas classic "The Night Before Christmas" and cozy up with some steaming hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Citizens Bank.

Studio 109 dancer kick up some snow during their dance routine during Rochester's Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday evening.

Traffic cones were set up to keep everyone safe in Central Square while police directed traffic on Wakefield and North Main streets which we restricted to one lane apiece for about an hour during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, youngsters took advantage of the snow already on the ground to frolic in Parson Main Square making snow angels and sliding and jumping over a small mound of the white stuff.

The Frisbie Carolers took the stage just prior to the tree lighting leading the large crowd in singing several Christmas carols including "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer," "Deck the Halls" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" among others.

From left, Junior Miss Rochester Fair Marissa Young, Little Miss Acton (Maine) Fair Odette Hebert, Junior Miss Acton Fair Isabella Hebert and four-year-old Melody, in wagon, along with Melody's and Michelle's mom, Michelle Karakaedos.

Also attending the event and appearing on stage were Junior Miss Rochester Fair Marissa Young, Junior Miss Acton (Maine) Fair Isabella Hebert and Little Miss Acton Fair Odette Hebert.

McCarley said she was thrilled with the large turnout and said the snow falling during the tree lighting made it all the more special.

"We come out here and do this every year and to have it snowing is just beautiful," she said.

Primary sponsors of the event were Xfinity and First Seacoast Bank.

Rochester's holiday extravaganza continues today with the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl and concludes Sunday with the city's Christmas parade.