CAMDEN — Hundreds of people watched holiday floats glide down Camden’s main street Friday night, with the last entry a pack of Scouts carrying Santa Claus and Ellen the Elf.

The star of last night’s big event, Santa climbed down off the float and ever-so-slowly made his way to Atlantic Avenue. He ambled along, stopping frequently to greet little ones and hug others, even posing for photographs by eager moms and dads.

Santa spotted the Camden Lions Club’s table with hot chocolate, and when he stepped up for a cup and realized there were cookies too, he picked one and said, “Chocolate chip, my favorite!” (Kids, take note for Christmas Eve preparations.)

A few more welcome interruptions to pose for photos and listen to the wishes of some children, and Santa finally made his way up to Harbor Park where a large, shapely fir was waiting to be lit. There was a welcome, and a Christmas carol, and then a countdown that ended with the lighting of hundreds of twinkling white lights and a resounding “Hooray!” from the gathered crowd.

It was a great end, for some, of the first night of the Christmas by the Sea weekend, and for others it signaled time to shop, stop in to business open houses and enjoy a bite to eat downtown with friends and family.

For a compete schedule of Christmas by the Sea weekend events, click here.

For a schedule of holiday events around Knox and Waldo counties this weekend, and through New Year’s Eve, click here.