Ol’ Jack Frost made it to town before Santa Claus came riding into Brundidge on the fire truck Tuesday night, but that didn’t keep several hundred “kids” of all ages from ushering in the Christmas season in a big way.

The Brundidge Business Association teamed with the City of Brundidge, the Brundidge Historical Society and Salem Baptist Church to play host to one of the biggest Christmas Lighting Ceremonies ever in Brundidge.

The youth of Salem Baptist Church presented a live Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, the shepherds, Wise Men and a menagerie of stable animals, including a camel, sheep and goats.

The Christmas Parade featured 35 entries led by the Pike County High School JROTC Color Guard and the Pride of Pike Marching Band.

Following the parade, the Christmas Lighting ceremony was held on the grounds of the Bass House. There was a collective shout of appreciation at the lighting of the town’s old-fashioned Christmas lights.

Then, more than 100 children and parents made their way to the We Piddle Around Theater for a time of singing and storytelling.

“Tonight was a big surprise,” said Lamar Steed, BBA president. “We had a huge crowd – much bigger than we thought. This was the first time for a Christmas event like this and, by all measures, it was a great success.”

Steed said a few mistakes were made but those will be corrected and next year’s event will be even better.

“It was a good night in Brundidge as the community came together to celebrate the coming of Christmas,” he said. “And, I want to thank all of those who worked together to make it such a great success. We’ll definitely do this again next year.”

Dixie Shehane, who coordinated the sing-along and storytelling event at the We Piddle Around Theater, said that it’s good to have special events for the children of the community.

“When we all work together, good things happen,” she said. “Something good happened tonight. I’m just proud to be from Brundidge where there’s such a wonderful spirit of community.”