NORFOLK, Neb.- Wind gusts up to 48 miles per hour were taking the reins during downtown Norfolk’s Hometown Holidays festival.

Spirits were still made bright in the winter weather, where temperatures felt like 11 degrees with the wind chill.

While shops stayed open and were filled with Christmas lights, the talk of the town was the lighting of the Christmas tree.

With a few minor mishaps, Chamber of Commerce President Austen Hagood made light of the situation until the tree was lit.

“Two, one, joy to the world… [lights go out] are you kidding me… somebody call NPPD, we owe them money.”

[Lights turn on]

“Three, two, one, hurray.”

Despite the tree lights not turning on cue, Alyssa Vaughan and her friends were happy to experience the event for their first time together.

“Well, I’ve never been here,” said Vaughan. “And these are my best friends, so I just wanted to have fun with them and come see it.”

“We just wanted to come enjoy the magic of Christmas in our hometown,” said Cheyenne Olson.

The weather kept attendance down, but many folks still enjoyed the Christmas music while visiting with Santa.

In Norfolk, Tyler Murphy, News Channel Nebraska.