The third-annual Niagara Community Tree Lighting event took place Monday evening in Heights Park in Niagara, Wis. A 55-foot evergreen tree is now illuminated for the season with 1,100 commercial-grade lights and a large star on top. “It’s our own live, little Hallmark movie. The community gets to come together to celebrate Christmas,” said Shelby DeForge, who organized the event with husband Bryan. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

Children play around the now-lit tree at the third-annual Niagara Community Tree Lighting event Monday evening in Niagara, Wis. The event also included free cookies, hot chocolate, hot dogs and chili. Santa arrived on the rescue squad. Warming barrels were set up throughout the area to ward off the chill. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)