Yesterday, Christmas arrived before Thanksgiving on Allen Street.

This was the "upteenth" tree lighting ceremony, Mayor Bill Welch said.

Despite the rain that fell all day, the ceremony began at 5:30 p.m. under clear skies. It started with a welcome speech from Welch, followed by Mrs. Claus reading "The Polar Express" to a group of excited children.

"This is my first time at the tree-lighting ceremony," Roger Bagwell, of Bellefonte, said. "The little ones are really excited -- they don't know what to think."

The trees lining Allen Street glistened with bright Christmas lights. Little kids swarmed the streets and screamed with excitement. Tents and kiosks attracted crowds of people for free food.

Though the event was geared more toward State College families, a few Penn State students milled around, taking in the merriment.

"There is a lot of free food and drinks. It seems really nice," said Abby Moreau (senior-crime, law and justice). "It's geared more for kids. It's not really a college-student thing."

Down the street, various other activities were taking place.

A trailer sponsored by the Lion's Club offered free popcorn, hot chocolate, coffee and candy. The members of the State High Leo's Club helped the Lion's Club as part of its outreach program, said Marie Koudela, a State College High School senior.

Beside the trailer, a large crowd of children "oohed" and "ahhed" as they petted two live reindeer.

During the ceremony yesterday, a small glitch occurred -- the lights went out for 15 minutes because of a circuit overload, Daniel Crosser, the event's variety entertainer, said.

During the minor blackout, the kids restlessly screamed for Santa Claus.

Meanwhile, at another kiosk, kids signed up for a raffle to help light the tree.

Last year, Bob Cameron, Penn State doctoral candidate, said his daughter was picked to light the tree. He said it was a magical experience for her.

"It made her whole Christmas," he said.

Yesterday, the crowd anxiously waited for the main event, the lighting of the Christmas tree.

This year's raffle winner to help light the tree was 7-year-old Lauren Mathews.

As the lighting approached, the crowd counted down from 10 to one.

The crowd awed in amazement as Lauren lit the tree, which was illuminated with white and blue lights.

The ceremony ended with the singing of carols as Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus and the elves departed.