Sounds of the season drifted onto the cold night air, bringing smiles to the faces of both the young and the young at heart.

Chesapeake Area Citizens Coalition sponsored its annual Christmas tree lighting Thursday night.

More than 150 braved the winter chill to join in the celebration that included music by young people from Union Missionary Baptist Children's Choir, Chesapeake High School Chorus and Chesapeake Children's Chorus.

For fellow children's chorus members, 9-and-a-half-year-olds Jackie Nelson and Kyle Coleman, the night was full of excitement.

"It's really fun," they both said in unison.

Jackie explained, "Because you get to dance around and sing. There are lots of people here to watch us."

Jackie's proud mom Aimee Nelson and grandmother Lacreta Nelson came out to watch Jackie perform. It was the first time the family had attended the lighting.

"I really enjoyed it, but it's cold though," Aimee Nelson of Chesapeake said laughing.

She said it was worth the discomfort to see the great job by all the kids this year.

Their music teacher, Mrs. Sandra Lemke, was also glad to see the their hard work on display. She and her students have been rehearsing since late October to bring the group's song and dance routines together.

"We are here to spread the spirit and joy of music with the wonderful community of Chesapeake," Mrs. Lemke said.

The group put a new spin on some old favorites with choreographed moves and upbeat numbers. Elvis impersonators even made appearances thanks to the talents of four boys in the chorus who lip-synched, danced about and played inflatable instruments to the delight of the crowd.

But it was the man in the red suit that sent all the children scrambling. Santa served as the evening's grand finale, arriving not by sleigh but atop a shiny fire truck.

Like St. Nick, the Christmas tree was decked out in red. The live Norwegian Spruce was strung with festive red lights and gold ornaments.

The tree was donated by the citizen's coalition, whose members not only organize this event every year, but also provide help wherever they can, Chairman Fred Gilpin said.

"We've got a lot of people involved in this effort," Gilpin said. "We're just an organization that doesn't have any political clout, we're just a civic organization that was formed to provide service to the community."

Their efforts have kept Jean Kimball and her family coming back for three years. Kimball came out to hear her granddaughter Abbie sing with Union Missionary Baptist's Children's Chorus.

Her group, like Chesapeake High's Choir, performed familiar favorites but also offered tender holiday melodies designed to remind people of the reason for the season.

"It was wonderful. It really puts you in the Christmas spirit," Jean Kimball said.