Four-year-old Angelica Torres, gets a hug from Santa Claus at the Tree Lightning ceremony late Saturday afternoon. She is the daughter of Oradys Torres of Lehigh Acres. Hundreds of kids turned out for Santa's arrival on a fire truck and followed him inside LRMC to have their photos taken with him as gifts from the hospital. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Several hundred people turned out for the all-day event that culminated Saturday night with the turning on of the lights of the big Christmas tree on the lawn of Lehigh Regional Medical Center.

Events began Saturday morning with a trade show and continued during the day with Santa arriving sharply at advertised at 4:30 p.m. atop a ladder truck from the Lehigh Acres Fire Dept.

Waving to the crowd, he made his want into the hospital near the cafeteria where he posed for photographs with Santa. Close to 500 children taken at the event were a gift from the hospital.

Outside there were various programs including music and dancing.

Chris Rakunas, the hospital’s CEO and president, welcomed the guests and also turned on the lage tree in front of the hospital.

Children from the Lehigh Childcare Center sing Christmas carols during the all-day event on the lawn of the Lehigh Regional Medical Center Saturfday. Several groups performed before Chris Rackunas, the hospital's CEO, turned the giant Christmas tree lights on at dusk. Santa arrived at 4:30 p.m. atop an aerial fire truck from the Lehigh Acres Fire Dept. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Refreshments were provided to everyone.

On Friday night, a large crowd turned out to the Lehigh Towne Center for the annual Christmas show presented by shopping center owners Eugen and Conchita Borosch. There were performances by children from the dancing school Footnotes located in the strip center.

Visitors stood in line for free German hotdogs and free pizza throughout the evening.

The Borosch family has been holding a Christmas party for visitors for several years and it has become a tradition in downtown Lehigh Acres.