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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- And the weather outside was frightful but the Fairfield lights were oh so delightful.

Hundreds of people gathered around the Fairfield Square Friday night and counted down for the Christmas lights to be turned on.

And for many Fairfield residents, the Fairfield tree lighting has been a tradition for years.

“I’ve probably been coming since I was five or six and I'm 43. So I’ve only missed a few years. It's beautiful. I meant it's -- when you're little it's really impressive and I think you just, I don't know I'm sentimental that way, nostalgic so it still looks beautiful to me,” said Staci Wright.

Santa Claus even took a break from the North Pole and came to Fairfield to visit with the children.

Sleigh rides were given around the square to view the beautiful lights.

Those that attended said that the tree lighting is a wonderful way to bring the entire community together.