WATCH: Santa Arrives by Fire Truck at Goodfellow’s 37th Annual Tree Lighting

SAN ANGELO, TX — Goodfellow Air Force Base kicked off its holiday season Friday with the 37th annual tree lighting ceremony, highlighted by Santa Claus arriving aboard a fire truck and the announcement of festive contest winners.

Barbara McConnell, the community cohesion coordinator for the base, said the event is a long-standing tradition.

“This is my third year doing this for Goodfellow Air Force Base,” McConnell said. “It’s one of our important events to kick off the holiday season and bring everyone together before we all run into this hectic Christmas season.”

Santa’s arrival at 5:35 p.m. delighted the children, who lined up to meet him and share their holiday wishes. Families enjoyed activities such as cookie decorating hosted by H-E-B, creating take-and-make ornaments, and writing letters to Santa.

The highlight for many attendees was the announcement of the Christmas card design and golf cart decoration contest winners. The base’s contracting office claimed first place in the golf cart contest for the fifth consecutive year.