From festooned fire trucks and the “Mini Rockettes” from Dance Etc, to fresh-baked fire truck-shaped cookies and special guests Mr and Mrs Claus, the annual Hawleyville holiday tree lighting December 7 was packed with fun and festivities befitting the season.

All the merchants at 23 Barnabas Road pitched in with refreshments, but Donna Ball’s (pictured with Hawleyville Captain Bill McAllister) custom-baked fire truck cookies seemed to be the big hit of the event.

After a few words by Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra and Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, the Buddha Ukulele Club provided some holiday music and the crowd of about 150 counted down to the tree lighting.

The event, sponsored by the Stony Hill Four Corners Business Association, also served as a toy donation drop-off for the Newtown Fund, where many special gifts were collected for local families.