WINDHAM - “Let there be lights,” said Santa, and the tree on the front lawn of the Centre Church was suddenly bright, last Saturday evening.

Parade of Lights was led by Windham Hose Company fire chief Jordan Braren (left) and assistant chief Guillaume Dufresnoy, joined by multiple units from the mountaintop and the valley.

Santa seems larger than life for little Lana Sanson, whose dad and mom are Mountaintop Tree Service, the company that strung new lights on the traditional Christmas tree on the lawn of the Centre Church in Windham.

Windham Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual tree-lighting event in the town of Windham, including a Parade of Lights and a visit by Santa Claus to the Centre Church for a long line of children waiting to whisper their wishes into Santa’s ear. Helping welcome the merry revelers were Chamber events coordinator Caroline Lynch (seated on St. Nick’s knee), Christmas elves and Windham-Ashland-Jewett school students Piper Cohane (left) and Erin Klein.