Roanoke Rapids ushered in the Christmas season this evening with its annual tree-lighting ceremony at Veterans Park, while across the street at Centennial Park, Main Street's tree contest got under way.
Voting will be available online Friday and runs through Sunday's Christmas parade. A community tree is available for the public to decorate.
{gallery}treelighting{/gallery}
Inside the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall, food and hot drinks were served up until the time 3-year-old Tyler Lasky switched on the city Christmas tree. The Roanoke Rapids High School Chorus ended the evening with Christmas carols.
The Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade begins Sunday at 2 p.m.