DAPHNE, Ala. — The city of Daphne kicked off its holiday festivities Thursday with a parade down Main Street, followed by the lighting of a 20-foot-tall artificial tree in Centennial Park.

Hundreds of people lined both sides of Main Street from Santa Rose Avenue south to College Avenue, carrying gift bags, grocery bags or canvas totes — anything that could catch throws like Frisbees, beaded necklaces, popcorn, suckers and chewing gum — and the hope to see the big guy himself, Santa Claus.

In fact, jolly old St. Nick (or perhaps, his helpers) made at least three appearances. The man in red was seen relaxing in a hammock; behind the wheel of an electronic wheelchair; and finally, riding high atop a fire truck.

It was the last Santa who left a big impression on Noreen Theriot and her daughter Chloe, 5, who received an early Christmas gift that evening — a plush Paddington Bear.

“I’m telling you, my daughter was just beside herself; it was just so special,” Noreen Theriot said. “Nothing could top that.”

When the parade ended, a celebration began in Centennial Park, featuring entertainment by the band Roman Street, followed by performances by the Eastern Shore Baptist Church choir, the W.J. Carroll Intermediate School choir and a solo act from Daphne Middle School student Hunter Beasley. The event culminated when civic leaders lighted the tree.

During the ceremony, Mayor Fred Small said residents should remember the true reason for the season. He said he was “dedicatin’ this tree right here in (Jesus) Christ’s memory,” adding that the holidays are a time when “we need to think about our soldiers” overseas.

Friday, Megan Matrone, the city’s recreation programs coordinator, said approximately 400 people attended the tree lighting ceremony. About that many servings of complimentary hot dogs, coffee and popcorn were available.

The tree lighting, then, appeared successful, as the city’s goal was to lure people from the parade to the tree lighting ceremony, according to Matrone.

In years past, such as in 2005, the two events occurred on separate days.

TO PURCHASE PICTURES FROM THE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING, GO TO WWW.GULFCOASTPHOTOSNOW.COM.