Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Lighting up the night

Soldotna Creek Park hosts Santa and tree-lighting ceremony at the Christmas in the Park celebration.

Dozens of people turned out to enjoy cookies and coffee Saturday evening at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotna Creek Park. Folks were treated to holiday singing and dancing from the Class Act Drama Troupe, featuring youth singers from the central peninsula. Children got the chance to meet Santa Claus, who made an appearance for the tree-lighting ceremony.

A dramatic rise in temperatures to the mid-30s Fahrenheit also created the ideal conditions for making snowmen.

Santa Claus gives a young girl a hug Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa Claus gives a young girl a hug Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

The Class Act Drama Troupe entertains the crowd with singing Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotnat Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

The Class Act Drama Troupe entertains the crowd with singing Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotnat Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

A young boy puts the finishing touches on a snowman Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotnat Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

A young boy puts the finishing touches on a snowman Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park celebration at Soldotnat Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

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