WETHERSFIELD - It was a chilly night-with temperatures around the mid 30’s-but for the fifth year in a row, the Old Wethersfield district came to life for the annual Holidays on Main.

       There were the various food vendors, the Winter Farmer’s Market, the silent auction, hay rides and, of course, the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at the Dec. 4 event.

       But on that cold night, Patricia Delaney and her family couldn’t get enough of the fire pit.

       â€�"I came here for the grandchildren--one, two and three,” Delaney said.

       She came here from Farmington, although her daughter, Kate Miller, lives in Wethersfield with her family.

       â€�"I wish we had this,” Delaney said. â€�"This is great.”

       Miller agreed.

       â€�"[It’s the] old town charm,” Miller said. â€�"It’s so friendly here.”

       The event might be one of few times the quiet streets of Old Wethersfield become packed. In past years the turnout has been estimated to be in the hundreds.

       â€�"Seeing friends--that’s what I have to say,” said Terry Carson of what brings her out to the event year after year.

       She looked over at her son, Zack.

       â€�"He loves the fire show,” she said.

       Tracy Guilmartin, a Wethersfield resident, was standing next to them. She has been coming out for Holidays on Main for the past three years.

       â€�"We love the town gatherings and festivities of Main Street activities,” Guilmartin said.

       â€�"It brings the holiday spirit out,” Carson added.

       They say the holiday spirit is in the giving, and Mayor Paul Montinieri was sure to emphasize that in the address he gave the crowd prior to the tree lighting.

       â€�"It’s great to have everyone down here,” Montinieri said. â€�"It’s a beautiful night, a beautiful winter night. Please remember those who need your help and assistance. Look to give back to someone in need, and make it a warm and welcome holiday season.”

       He also thanked the Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce and other event organizers and supporters within the Old Wethersfield business community.

       Montinieri’s words were followed by a round of Christmas carols and then the main event: The tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus. And, as usual, he showed up in style, riding a fire engine courtesy of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department. His exit, however, would be a little less dramatic. After his custom meet and greet with a mob of eager children, he was escorted to his getaway vehicle, a golf cart.

       He would meet with children later on at the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department’s headquarters to take gift requests.

       Away from the larger portion of the crowd and tree lighting, Ginger Smith was feeling the â€�"winter” part of the Winter Farmer’s Market, where she kept busy selling a variety of jams at her Ginger’s Jams stand.

       â€�"They should have a bonfire right in the center right here,” Smith said with a laugh. â€�"The people who are selling hot food are going to do well, so that’s good.”

       Regarding the event, she echoed the sentiments of other attendees.

       â€�"When you have a small town like this and you have things that draw out the community, it’s a really good thing,” Smith said. â€�"We just need some heaters.”