Old St. Nick rode into the parking lot onboard, a shiny red fire engine complements of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District. PHOTO PROVIDED

Members of the community came out to meet Santa Claus and be part of Lehigh Regional Medical Center’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

The holiday event took place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 1500 Lee Blvd.

Guests arrived to find decorated palm trees, a performance stage and Santa’s elves handing out candy cane treats to the crowd.

Gary Bell, chief executive officer at Lehigh Regional Medical Center, took the stage to welcome the community to the hospital for a night of festivities.

“We look forward to having this event for the community each year. Throughout the evening we will have some local people singing and preforming and a visit from Santa Claus,” Bell said.

Pageant winners: Marilyn Alvarez – Miss Teen Sunshine State Global US; Samantha Pena – Tiny Miss Legacy International; and Leilani Marrero – Teeny Miss Florida Legacy US. PHOTO PROVIDED

Bell then did a countdown to Santa’s arrival as excited children kept a lookout for his sleigh.

Old St. Nick made quite an entrance, as he rode into the parking lot onboard, not a sleigh, but a shiny red fire engine complements of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District.

Santa then took time to welcome his fans and stop for a few photos before making his way onstage to wish everyone in the crowd a very Merry Christmas. Guests were then welcomed inside for a chance to get free photos with Santa and complimentary refreshments, such as eggnog, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies.

Throughout the evening various local performers took the stage, beginning with Mirror Lakes Elementary School’s chorus led by Music Instructor Lawrence Perdue.

According to Perdue, the kids had worked hard during the year preparing for their holiday shows.

Mr. Perdue, Head of Mirror Lakes Elementary school choir. PHOTO PROVIDED

Following Mirror Lakes choir, a line-up of local performers and school groups preformed during the holiday event.

Local pageant winners from Miss Legacy International also took the stage to say hello to the audience and introduce themselves. Pageant winners included: Leilani Marrero Teeny Miss Florida Legacy US; Samantha Pena Tiny Miss Legacy International and Marilyn Alvarez Miss Teen Sunshine State Global US.

“The pageants are a great way for the kids to gain confidence when speaking in front of people and it teaches them valuable social skills for the future,” Vivian Marimon said.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, has served the Lehigh Acres community since 1965. The center provides specialty care services that include Emergency Services, Cardiology, Critical Care, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pulmonology and Women’s Health.

Lehigh Regional Medical Center is at 1500 Lee Blvd. For more information call 239-369-2101, or visit www.lehighregional.com