The weather was not frightful and the warmth of the Southport community, along with the arrival of Santa Claus, put the 50-plus attendees in good cheer as the annual Southport Lights Up event, held outside and inside Southport General Store on Sunday, Dec. 1, went off without a hitch.

Southport Island Association sponsored the event. The organization’s president, Medea Harris, welcomed everyone before the island’s schoolchildren sang a half dozen Christmas carols and hymns. Those gathered were also urged to sing along.

Before Santa Claus arrived on his three-wheel motorcycle, the display of Christmas lights set up across the road on the school grounds was turned on, as oohs and aahs erupted from the crowd.

Jolly old Santa walked to the gathering after parking his motorcycle and began ringing a bell and singing “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” He then sat down in a chair and children started a line to greet him. After asking each child his or her name, Santa gave each child a bag of goodies.

Before riding out of sight, Santa walked through the crowd wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas.”

The store staff then generously offered hot drinks, pizza slices and cookies to all.