With their jackets buttoned tight and cups of hot chocolate in hand, many of Fort Oglethorpe’s citizens turned out to City Hall Tuesday night to welcome the Christmas season with the annual lighting of the city’s tree.

The event, organized by Harold and Pat Silcox, got under way at 7 p.m. with Harold welcoming those in atten-dance. Harold is a member of the City Council.

Southern Cross Ministries’ Steve Brandon opened with a prayer and delivered a message before turning the reigns over to Pat Silcox, who introduced the ensemble choir from Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church of Flintstone, led by Terry Chitwood.

With the audience joining the choir as they sang “Joy to the World,” this year’s Fort Oglethorpe Christmas tree was lit in grand fashion, followed by a flashbulbs and plenty of “oohs and ahhs.”

As the ceremony came to a close, everyone was invited inside to enjoy some refreshments and further enter-tainment by the choir.

“We’re grateful for the turnout, and glad that everybody could be a part of it,” Harold said.