Visitors to uptown Collinsville braved the cold to celebrate Christmas in Collinsville Dec. 6 and 7.

Uptown Collinsville lamp post / Photo by Roger Starkey

The Collinsville Main Street Community Association hosted the event, which included the official lighting of the Christmas tree at the Collinsville Township Office, a holiday house tour and visits with Santa Claus at the Miner’s Theatre. The originally scheduled hayrides were cancelled due to temperatures that hovered in the low 20s throughout the day.

About 30 people braved the frigid temperatures Friday, Dec. 6 to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Collinsville Township office. The Curtains Up Theatre Company sang carols and Santa Claus teamed with Collinsville Mayor John Miller and Collinsville Township Commissioner Terry Allan to welcome those attending the tree lighting ceremony.

“With the snow on the ground and the cold weather we have, it makes it feel more like Christmas,” Miller said. However, most in attendance left quickly when the ceremony ended, choosing not to linger in the 20-degree temperature to enjoy the Christmas weather.