A festive but drizzly Avenue of Lights

OCONTO FALLS — If the applause for the Oconto Falls High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble sounded muted Saturday evening, it was not because the young voices weren’t delighting the crowd with their joyful harmonies.

With a light rain falling and the north wind driving the “feels like” temperature into the low 20s, the audience at the East Side Beach pavilion clapped heavy gloves together after each familiar Christmas hymn and carol.

The rain would turn into snow later that night, bringing the area its first major winter storm of the season, but the worst of the weather held off long enough for the Oconto Falls Lioness Club to stage its annual unveiling of the Avenue of Lights, which will line North Main Street until after Christmas.

The choir under the direction of Amy Thiel sang for a half-hour, and then the siren from an Oconto Falls fire engine and the burst of Christmas lights signaled the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who had parked their sleigh near the fire station and hitched a ride to the beach from willing firefighters.

With the Lioness Club serving up hot chocolate and cookies, the Clauses chatted and posed for pictures with dozens of children who braved the cold evening for the opportunity.