A jubilant crowd of 250 or more people gathered at the park at Fifth and Locust Streets just before the 7:00 pm welcome to light the Christmas tree.

Everyone was in a happy mood, especially the scores of children who were in attendance. The splendid warm weather may have contributed to the large number assembled in the park. The only distraction we noted was the occasional acrid smell of cigarette smoke. Seems a few smokers didn’t heed one of the “no” signs around the park.

Nonetheless, this third-year event orchestrated by Don and Becky Murphy and others did accomplish a gathering of community to start the holiday season in Columbia. The lighted tree at a “gateway” point is a perfect capping of the lighted lamp posts and some luminaries on Locust Street.

Two QRS vehicles were stationed just across Fifth Street; we noticed no police or other emergency vehicles. Nor did we encounter any “elected public servants.”

Walking along Locust Street following the lighting celebration, we snapped these photos of churches, a car with antler adornment and a festive tree in G’s barber shop.

A brilliant window display at Ladybug Keepers invites and delights as do the luminaries. A more somber window display is noted at the former Gramma’s Home Accents store front further down Locust Street.

Click here to see awesome photographs from yesterday’s and last night’s activities about town – Columbia Spy.