The sounds of holiday music, carol singing and expectant kids waiting for Santa marked the annual Lighting of Langley on Saturday at Langley Park.

The small community space was filled with neighbors and visitors alike for the start of Langley’s festive season, gathered under a canopy of trees hung with bright red balls and strung with fairy lights.

Welcoming them was the South Whidbey High School Band, led by Chris Harshman, playing a mix of favorite holiday songs that had tots dancing and grownups humming along.

Among the special treats was a skit by actors from the production of “Owen Meany’sChristmas Pageant,” comingto the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Nov. 30 through Dec. 15.

Winter Fairy Hahna Lun and her wizarding assistants offered magic wands so kids could help light the tree with magic.

And island musicians Vern Olsen, on theaccordion, his brother Karl Olsen on guitar and writer Deb Lund (Karl’s wife) led the assembled gathering in a carol sing-along.

As darkness descended, the three Christmas trees in the park, the largest donated by Venture Out Nursery, came alight to cheers and applause. All that was needed then was the arrival of St. Nick, who “flew” in on a motorcycle to distribute candy canes and hugs, posing for pictures with his admirers.

Kids with sticky candy-cane fingers followed their parents out after a classic tree lighting event that began Langley’s traditional holiday season.