The Grinch and a group of Whos greet the crowd on German Street Friday night. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — German Street swarmed with community members and visitors alike on Friday evening, as celebrants prepared to welcome the holiday season, by attending the Corporation of Shepherdstown’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

In spite of the chilly weather, the celebrants seemed to have returned full-force, after a break from the annual tradition last year, when the in-person event was live-streamed on Facebook, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The evening began with a bonfire and s’mores, being managed on King Street on the side of McMurran Hall’s lawn by the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, as has been the case in years past. And, once again, Mrs. Claus resumed her seat in front of McMurran Hall, as she read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to precede the lighting of the Christmas tree.

“I’m high tech this year,” Mrs. Claus announced, before beginning to read. “This is the first time I’ve ever used a cordless mic before. Just think what the elves would think, if they could see me now!”

As she read the books, Mrs. Claus was careful to explain the stories to the children in her audience, such as what sugar plums are, and what the Grinch’s thought process was.

Mrs. Claus reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on Friday night in front of McMurran Hall. Tabitha Johnston

“What a guy! He thinks he’s got one over the Whos,” Mrs. Claus said, before finishing reading the tale.

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer then took to the podium in front of McMurran Hall, to welcome the celebrants.

“We are a community that loves to put its best foot forward!” Auxer said. “We are so fortunate to live in this wonderful community.”

Auxer specifically thanked Jenny Haynes, Judy Shepherd, the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown, Dan & Bryan Trees and the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department for their contributions to the evening’s events.

After his speech, Auxer announced it was time for the Christmas tree lights on McMurran Hall lawn to be turned on. Moments after, a fire engine rolled to a stop on German Street, in front of the celebration, with Santa Claus riding on its end. Santa Claus climbed down and waved to the crowd, as he made his way up the steps into McMurran Hall. With his arrival, the celebrants gathered into a long line, as they waited to meet and take photographs with him.

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer welcomes the crowd to the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in front of McMurran Hall on Friday night. Tabitha Johnston

While the Christmas tree lighting ceremony was over, a handful of local businesses stayed open to lure in celebrants. For at least one of those businesses, staying open was a way to welcome in the holidays with the celebrants, rather than to make an extra dollar.

“We’re giving out hot cocoa and coffee, to keep everybody nice and toasty,” said Coldwell Banker agent Mercedes Prohaska, as she held out a bucket of candy canes for passersby to pick from. “This will become a tradition for us. It’s nice to see Christmas in Shepherdstown come alive! It’s always a magical time of year here.”

Christmas tree lighting ceremony attendees wait in line to enter McMurran Hall and meet Santa Claus on Friday night. Tabitha Johnston

Coldwell Banker agents Sarah Santacroce and Mercedes Prohaska talk with Shepherdstown resident Siri McDonald and her six-year-old daughter, Emma, on Friday night, after giving them hot cocoa and a candy cane. Tabitha Johnston