Once again, the lighting of the Christmas tree on the historic Murfreesboro square Friday night attracted a record crowd. Temps in the lower 40s didn't dampen the Yuletide spirit.

In fact, the shoulder-to-shoulder residents on the east side of the courthouse may have warmed it a bit for those waiting for the "Main Event". And of course, that would be Santa's arrival and then him helping light the Rutherford County Christmas tree.

When Jolly Ole St. Nick stepped from the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department's big firetruck, you could see by the sparkle in his eye that the crowd was made-up of good boys and girls.

Tremendous musical entertainment filled the brisk night air as everyone was filled with the season of Christmas.

This is only the beginning, as Santa will be in the courthouse on Saturdays for photos. There will be the Holly Jolly Trolley in the historic district December 12th, and of course--the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, December 13th. This year's theme is "Christmas Around the World", and the parade begins at the intersection of East Main and Middle Tennessee Boulevard, goes down East Main to the square, around the square and onto West Main, and ends on North Walnut Street.

Again, a special THANK YOU to the Murfreesboro Main Street program for making this annual event come to life.