A crowd of merry holiday celebrants turned out on Sunday evening for the Town of Neversink’s annual holiday tree lighting and festivities.

Bicentennial park, across from the Neversink Town Hall, was filled with friends and families enjoying free hot dogs and hamburgers courtesy of the local AYSO Youth Soccer League, as well as cocoa and cookies donated by the Girl Scouts.

Attendees enjoyed Christmas carols and other holiday songs performed by seventh and 12th grade students of the Tri-Valley Band. Town of Neversink Supervisor Chris Mathews welcomed all those in attendance and thanked all the volunteers who helped decorate and make the event possible.

He announced holiday decorating contest winners and led everyone in a countdown for the tree lighting. The evening culminated in a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus who arrived at Bicentennial park escorted by the Town of Neversink Fire Department and Emergency Medical Teams.