With fire trucks temporarily cleared out of their bays, there was plenty of room inside the Elizabeth Fire Department for Santa, his elves, and vendors who greeted visitors at the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tree Lighting Festival in Elizabeth on Dec. 4.

This year, the chamber transformed the traditional outdoor event called An Olde Country Christmas, typically held on East Main Street, into the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival held inside at the Elizabeth Fire Department.

“With it being a nighttime event and being in December, over the last few years it had become not very well attended,” said Trista Ellis, chamber executive director. “We kind of changed things up this year, and we had it at the fire station. We were really impressed. It was a great turnout and our vendors were really happy.”

This year’s event featured hand-crafted and custom vendor goods and a silent auction for the adults, while the kids had pictures with Santa at Saint Nick’s North Pole, ornament decorating and a candy cane cakewalk.

“We were really impressed with the turnout, with it being a first-time event,” Ellis hsaid. “Mayor Clay Hurst did our tree lighting, and then afterwards, the Girls Scouts sang carols.”

Sponsors of this year’s tree lighting included G&G Landscaping, who hung the lights on the tree, and Viaero Wireless, who provided the ornaments and decorating materials for the kids. Other sponsors included the Town of Elizabeth, IREA, the Means Agency, All American Propane and Falkor Ranch Alpacas. The photos with Santa were provided by Dancing Lizards Photography along with EC Riders.

In addition to the sponsors, Ellis especially acknowledged the Elizabeth Fire Department for its help in bringing the event to the community.

“They provided the space for us, and they worked really hard getting it ready, hanging the lights on the building,” she said. “They deserve a really big shout-out.”