South Whitehall residents and neighbors braved a rainy evening to celebrate the holiday season at the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6.

Using two large tent covers to help protect from the rain, parents and children enjoyed music, a visit by Raven, a therapy horse from Manito Equestrian Center, and dancers from Studio West Dance Center.

And, of course, a visit by Santa Claus was the hit of the evening.

Music was provided by the St. Joseph the Worker Choir, under the direction of David Knerr, solos by South Whitehall's Erin Kelly, and a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Allison Trautmann, youth librarian at Parkland Community Library.