(OCEAN CITY, Md.) - The holiday season has officially commenced in Ocean City with the kickoff of "Winterfest of Lights" 2014.
It was a night of joy as dozens of people gathered at Northside Park to turn on the lights.
This 22 year old event brought all kinds of people -- young and old rocking around the Christmas tree.
"Anticipation of Christmas, the tree lighting ceremony and all the little kids up there singing -- it's pretty exciting stuff," said Jeff Hicks.
Hick's son, Jacob was set to perform with the ocean city stars. He said he was feeling "a little nervous."
But by performance time he certainly was a star -- kicking off the ceremony -- singing and dancing to holiday tunes.
And parents were soaking in the joy of their children.
"The kid's love it. You get hot chocolate. Santa Claus is inside -- you get to sit on his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas," said a smiling Dawn Marohl.
Speaking of good ol' Saint Nick -- we caught him and Mrs. Clause taking a long list of requests from some very eager children.
And as the list grew -- so did the line to see four hundred light displays all around the park.
"It's become a fabulous tradition for families that live here in Ocean City and who come here to visit," said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.
The "Winterfest of Lights" will be lighting up Ocean City through January 4th.