Children and adults gathered at the Allen Street gates Thursday night to enjoy an appearance by Santa Claus and to see the annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

The Downtown State College Improvement District sponsored the event, which took place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the corner of South Allen Street and College Avenue.

After a brief welcome speech by Mayor Bill Welch, the entertainment began with Mrs. Claus reading The Polar Express.

Local singing group Broadway Showkids and professional musicians Dan Crosser and Galla Higinbotham followed the reading of the holiday story with performances and caroling.

Food and toy donations were also collected by the Off-Campus Student Union.

Adrienne Giannone, of the Off-Campus Student Union, said the event might allow people to donate food or toys more conveniently than having to drive to another location at another time.

Giannone (senior-organizational management) said kids who had donated to Toys for Tots won an opportunity to light the tree with Santa.

This year's winner was 7-year-old Anna Kwasnica, whose ticket was randomly chosen after Santa appeared at 6:30 p.m. on an Alpha Fire Co. truck.

"I thought I'd never win before my name was called," Kwasnica said after she helped light the tree.

Kwasnica said she particularly enjoyed counting down from five while pointing magic bells at the tree with Santa before the lights turned on.

Higinbotham said the magic bells that help light the tree always entertain the children watching.

"When the magic bells light the tree there is a sense of wonder on all the kids' faces," she said. "It's wonderful."

Crosser and Higinbotham caroled throughout the tree lighting. The duo provided children with various instruments, such as tambourines, to enhance the caroling experience.

Higinbotham said they have been performing in the annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony for more than five years and this year was another fun performance.

"It was beautiful," she said. "The weather couldn't be better."