It might just be a coincidence, but the rain that threatened to endanger Thursday's Community Tree Lighting ceremony stopped falling just about the time Santa Claus arrived.
Over 1,000 people flocked to Queen Street East in front of the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse to watch the tree lighting and kickoff the city's official opening of the holiday season.
"The weather was a little questionable earlier tonight, but it looks like the crowd has turned out," said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker in his address to the crowd immediately before the tree was lit.
Many downtown businesses remained open later than usual on Thursday for the annual Moonlight Magic event. Shoemaker suggested the crowd gets all of its Christmas shopping done while reminding them the Rotary Santa Claus Parade is scheduled for Nov. 23.
"This is going to be a great kickoff to one of the best holiday seasons our community has seen," he said.