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My son, daughter and I stepped out of our warm car and into the frosty night air Nov. 21, headed toward Gibsonville's annual Lighting of the Green.

Nearing the town square, we could hear Mayor Lenny Williams speaking to those who had braved the cold temperatures. He began the countdown at 6 p.m., asking the crowd to join him midway through.

As the countdown reached zero, cheers and clapping erupted throughout the crowd as all of the town's Christmas lights were turned on.

Williams then introduced Jeremiah Coleman, the 6-year-old winner of this year's Gibsonville Idol competition. Coleman sang a few songs to the crowd, including "Jesus Loves Me." It was easy to see how this talented child won the competition earlier in the year.

Eastern Guilford's Jazz Band also performed. As they began their concert, I noticed one guy in the band wearing shorts. I had to smile as it reminded me of my older brother, who also wears shorts in sub-freezing temperatures.

The music was a great way to start off the evening as my kids and I made our way to the spots we wanted to visit that night.

The Alamance Chamber of Commerce Women's Division was selling baked goods near the Depot Stage. The bundled-up women announced that everything was being marked down immediately because they were so cold. We bought a brown sugar pound cake to enjoy over the weekend.

Farther down Main Street, we saw Santa and Mrs. Claus standing on the back of a pickup. They threw hard candy onto the road as they waved to those gathered on the edges. Shattered peppermints that could not withstand the impact dotted the asphalt. Kids ran into the road to gather the sweet treats under their parents' supervision after the truck passed.

Arriving at the Gibsonville Garden train area, we watched as the wonderful hobby trains circled the tracks.

The men watching over their model trains had a bubble machine, which we were told was freezing up in the cold. Indeed, the machine seemed to struggle as it shot out spurts of bubbles. They had some bubble liquid in front of the heater to try to keep it from freezing more than it already was. The flittering bubbles floating in the night air looked like snow flurries.

My daughter enjoyed seeing and posing with the snowman, reindeer and Chick-fil-A cow that were walking among the crowd. It was great to see them interacting with the residents of Gibsonville, young and old.

Occasionally, a character began to dance and sway. As cold as it was, it is hard to know if they were dancing or trying to keep warm.

We saw the wagon ready for hayrides near Fidelity Bank at the end of Main Street. At the announcement that hay rides would begin soon, young people ran to that end of the street.

Making our way back down Main Street, we went into a few of the shops to get in from the cold. Tables were covered in bright red and green tablecloths. Finger foods of all kinds were available, and hot coffee and apple cider helped to take the chill off a little bit.

Most of the shops controlled how many people they allowed inside at one time, which really seemed to ease the overcrowding we experienced in past years at this event.

Going inside gave you enough warmth that you could stand being outside a few minutes at a time as you enjoyed the music from the Depot Stage and the Christmas lights now dotting the town square and Main Street.

Santa Claus was sitting outside the Town Hall. The line of children and adults waiting for their turn to whisper in his ear stretched across the street.

After about an hour, my kids and I decided we were now sufficiently chilled and should leave. We knew we would sadly miss out on the rest of the entertainment scheduled for that night.

Though our skin was cold, our hearts were warmed by this annual gathering of our small town and those who ventured out on such a night as Gibsonville and its merchants kicked off the Christmas season once again with grace and style.

Linda Vestal is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend living in Gibsonville. Contact her with comments or story ideas at lindavestal@triad.rr.com.