The community came out Saturday to again Light Up Tioga at the 15th Christmas on Gene Autry.
The annual community event tied together volunteers from the city and the school district to create a memorable night for all.
'[This] every year [is] a great event for fun and family and community to come together,' said Karen McGee, the Tioga Economic Development Corporation vice chairwoman.
The plans for the event began in full in August.
'This year, we got everything that was Christmas related,' she said of the items for the kids. 'We got a candy cane throw, a sugar rush slide, candy shack, a bucking bull because we're out here in the country still, and we have the whizzer ride.'
The Renegade band performed live for the crowd, and several of the community's churches—the Bridge Church of Tioga, Friendship Baptist Church and the Shiloh Methodist Church—were on site.
'The [Tioga ISD] FCCLA is here,' McGee said. 'They have trees that were purchased to be able to decorate.'
She was so happy with the outcome.
'I'm really pleased at how it turned out,' she said. 'The weather's great this year. Last year, we did this in the rain.'
McGee enjoyed seeing families having fun together.
EDC President Ryan Walters, who also serves on the Tioga ISD school board, agreed that the turnout was great.
'We just love putting it on and just having the community come out and join in the festivities,' he said. 'It's all about the community.'
Charlotte Webb, who came out for the event, has lived in Tioga for over 27 years and she comes to Christmas on Gene Autry every year.
'The grandkids come with me, and it's a wonderful event,' she said.
FCCLA seniors Lacie Gray and Emily Ballinger also brought a STEM project for the kids to build gumdrop and toothpick trees at the event.
They also participated in the Light Up Tioga event with more trees, more lights and more volunteers, along with other members of their FCCLA chapter.
Judith Owens, the secretary of the EDC board, echoed McGee's excitement.
'We have a lot of people here attending, we have a lot of vendors,' she said. 'Our floats for our parade tonight were very good. … We've got hot chocolate because it is chilly out here. … It's just a great time, and we're excited to bring in Christmas with the town of Tioga tonight. Merry Christmas everybody.'
The tradition is important to the volunteers.
'It means a lot to us that we can bring everybody together, that we get to meet people,' Owens said. 'Everybody shows up here together—strangers, family members, friends, school members— and we just all enjoy this night together on our little square.'
Assistant Editor Martin Edwards contributed to this report.
