Diane Burt, Frank Ferro and Casey Abrams sing “Silent Night” to a large audience just after lighting the Christmas tree in the center of town during the annual Idyllwild Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Cid Castillo

Gary Kuscher and Jeanine Schweppe were at the American Legion kitchen at 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving day cooking a dozen turkeys. Assisted by other Legion volunteers, a free and delicious Thanksgiving dinner, with all the trimmings, was prepared for members, friends and the general public that evening. Photo by Cid Castillo

Visitors and residents crammed into Town Hall looking for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts during the 46th Annual Harvest Festival, held Friday and Saturday this Thanksgiving weekend. Photo by Cid Castillo

Rotarians Charlie Wix, left, and Joe Gudmundson, greeted the hundreds of visitors to the more than 30 gift booths at the Harvest Festival at Town Hall. Photo by Cid Castillo

Volunteer extraordinaire Marge Muir scans the crowd. Photo by J.P. Crumrine

Visitors shopped for Christmas gifts during the Thanksgiving weekend at every store in Idyllwild, including Wooley’s. Photo by Cid Castillo

As Charles Dickens (Doug Austin) read the “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, the crowd stands enthralled by the beginning of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Barry Zander

The Idyllwild Chamber of commerce announced its 2011 Essence of Idyllwild Award at the ceremony. John Stonitsch read the proclamation as Jim Newcomb of the Quiet Creek Inn accepts it. Photo by Barry Zander

The Community Choir sings Christmas carols for the huge audience attending the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony sponsored by the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Cid Castillo

Idyllwild resident Lou Padula prepares four hot dogs for one of the many families who visited the booths at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday. Photo by Cid Castillo

The 2011 Idyllwild Christmas tree. Photo by Barry Zander

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