Despite heavy rain, crowds of Evanstonians gathered at Fountain Square Nov. 24 for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

The event featured an appearance by Santa Claus, who arrived on an Evanston fire truck with Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and Kathy Kessenich, assistant general secretary of Rotary International.

After flipping the switch on the holiday trees thousands of LED lights, the crowd moved to the Rotary International building for refreshments.

Jonathan Bullington, Triblocal.com reporter