As many as 500 people descended on downtown Oneonta for the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Thursday night.  many said it was one of the biggest crowds at this event in years.  The weather cooperated with 30 degrees at the lighting time and a soft snow falling.  It was a great event brought to you by destination Oneonta.

I was there and took some random photographs of the night.

The countdown went off without a hitch!
The countdown went off without a hitch!
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A long line waited for the arrival of Santa at his cottage
A long line waited for the arrival of Santa at his cottage
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Vendors lines the street
Vendors lines the street
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BJs provided cider and donuts
BJs provided cider and donuts
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The Green Toad bookstore shined with festive windows
The Green Toad bookstore shined with festive windows
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Yup...a Christmas goat!
Yup...a Christmas goat!
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Everyone thought the weather was great, but for this California couple the operational word was "layering"
Everyone thought the weather was great, but for this California couple the operational word was "layering"
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Dancers performed in several Main Street storefront windows
Dancers performed in several Main Street storefront windows
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The ONeonta History Center saw more than 300 visitors come through
The ONeonta History Center saw more than 300 visitors come through
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Kids of all ages watched the toy trains at the History Center
Kids of all ages watched the toy trains at the History Center
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Big Chuck "visited" with the original 1930s Santa from Bresee's Department Store at the History Center
Big Chuck "visited" with the original 1930s Santa from Bresee's Department Store at the History Center
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