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Children play in the artificial snow at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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South Shades Crest Elementary third-grader Andrew Fambrough, at left, and Rocky Ridge Elementary second-grader Lucas Dunigan — two cancer survivors — help Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato light the city's official Christmas tree at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hundreds of people showed up for the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Naomi Brown and her two sons, Jaxson and Waljeron, pose for a photo in front of the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree at the lighting ceremony at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hundreds of people showed up for the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato welcomes the crowd to the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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ABC 33/40 news broadcaster Charles Daniel talks to the crowd at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, as the mayor and two boys prepare to turn on the tree lights on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Choir members from Green Valley Elementary School wait for the official lighting of the city of Hoover's Christmas tree at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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South Shades Crest Elementary third-grader Andrew Fambrough, at left, and Rocky Ridge Elementary second-grader Lucas Dunigan — both cancer survivors -- help Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato prepare to light the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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South Shades Crest Elementary third-grader Andrew Fambrough, at left, and Rocky Ridge Elementary second-grader Lucas Dunigan — both cancer survivors — help Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato flip the switch to turn on the lights for the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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People watch the Green Valley Elementary School choir sing at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir from Green Valley Elementary School sings a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir from Green Valley Elementary School sings a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir from Green Valley Elementary School sings a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park HIgh School drumline listen to the choir from Green Valley Elementary School sing at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir from Green Valley Elementary School sings a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The crowd listens to the choir from Green Valley Elementary School at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir at Green Valley Elementary School sings a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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The choir director from Green Valley Elementary School leads his choir as they sing a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Santa Claus arrives on a Hoover fire truck at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Santa Claus arrives on a Hoover fire truck at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Drum majors for the Spain Park High School band lead the band in playing a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Members of the Spain Park High School band play a Christmas tune at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods were served to guests at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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A server helps a child going through the refreshment tent at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. The menu included hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods.
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Guests at the city of Hoover's Christmas tree lighting were served hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods in the refreshment tent at the Hoover Municipal Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. From left are Gene and JoAnn Powell and Sara Perry.
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Guests at the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree lighting were served hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods in the refreshment tent at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Guests at the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree lighting ceremony were served hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods in the refreshment tent at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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William Burton, 2, of McCalla eats cookies at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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A young girl plays in the artificial snow as it falls at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Children play in the artificial snow as it falls at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Gwen Rosas, 8, and Lillian Rosas, 6, of Hoover, Alabama, visit with Santa Claus at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Mackenzie Reyes, 5, and her sister, Taylor Reyes, 6, of Hoover, Alabama, visit with Santa Claus at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Ginger and Hudson Pegues play in a life-size inflatable artificial snow globe at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hudson Pegues laughs as his hair is full of artificial snow after getting out of a life-size inflatable artificial snow globe at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Children play in a life-size inflatable artificial snow globe at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Guests at the city of Hoover's official Christmas tree lighting get their picture taken with characters on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Children play in the artificial snow as it falls at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Children play in the artificial snow as it falls at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hundreds of peopled showed up for the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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A wreath hangs on the fence at the Hoover Municipal Center during the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hundreds of people showed up for the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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A young boy gives a hug to the Elsa character from the Disney movie "Frozen" at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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A young boy plays with a reindeer character as artificial snow falls at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Two girls get a photo taken with a reindeer character at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Guests at the city of Hoover's Christmas tree lighting were served hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods in the refreshment tent at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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People wait in line to see Santa Claus at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and his wife, Frances, pose for a photo at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Mrs. Claus visits with children at the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
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Hundreds of people showed up for the city of Hoover's 2016 Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center in Hoover, Alabama, on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016.
Hundreds of people helped usher in the Christmas season tonight at the city of Hoover’s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Hoover Municipal Center.
South Shades Crest Elementary third-grader Andrew Fambrough and Rocky Ridge Elementary second-grader Lucas Dunigan, two boys who have valiantly fought cancer, helped Mayor Frank Brocato flip the switch to turn on the 65,000 lights on the 32-foot-tall tree at the corner of U.S. 31 and Municipal Lane.
Members of the Spain Park High School band and a choir from Green Valley Elementary School provided music for the festivities.
Santa Claus showed up for the celebration on a Hoover fire engine and took pictures with children. Mrs. Claus and numerous elves joined him. There also were characters from the “Frozen” movie, a live toy soldier and a reindeer character interacting and dancing with the children.
Many of the children played in the snow that was shot into the air by a snow machine, while others played in and had pictures taken inside a life-size inflatable snow globe.
Guests also partook of hot chocolate, cookies and other baked goods in a refreshment tent as more Christmas music played over loudspeakers. Charles Daniel of the ABC 33/40 news team served as emcee for the event.
This post was updated at 8:14 a.m. on Dec. 2 to correct Lucas Dunigan's grade level at Rocky Ridge Elementary.
