Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  Mayor Joe Gierlach ladled out the hot cider while children chose a cookie or candy cane to munch on. Gradually, the front yard of the Nederland Town Hall began to fill up with girl scouts and their parents, local families and town officials, who chatted in the dark, lit only by the light leaking from the door and windows.

Judah Kaufman put the power cords together and the Nederland Town Christmas tree lit up, and the town hall decorations burst into brilliant color as the carolers began their songs, all the classic favorites: Frosty, Red-nosed Reindeer, and Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

Friday night was the official Nederland Tree Lighting ceremony, the third, according to Mayor Gierlach. Last year, the same ceremony was greeted by frigid weather and icy winds; this year, the gathering took place in more benign conditions, but the hot cider was still welcomed by cold hands.

Nederland’s holiday season has begun. The bridge lights are on, the roundabout’s aspens are sparkling, and businesses have decorated their storefronts. Centennial Bank has a large well-lit display and the town looks cheery and welcoming.