Rochester officially kicks off Christmastime with tree lighting

Crowds cheer and applaud the moment the city's Christmas tree is lighted during a fun ceremony in the downtown on Friday night. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Several hundred holiday revelers showed up on Friday night for Rochester's annual Christmas Tree Lighting, but the biggest news of the evening was the warning that Sunday's parade could be postponed due to rain or a wintry mix.

Rochester Chamber of Commerce chairman Keith Newton of DF Richard Energy urged the crowd to keep an eye on social media to see if the parade is pushed back due to weather.

As of today, Accuweather meteorologists were predicting the rain will stop around 3 p.m. on Sunday.

WE THREE QUEENS: From left, Miss Rochester Fair Skylar Ryan, 15, of Rochester, Jr. Miss Rochester Fair Lindsey Lauze, 10, of Farmington and Little Miss Rochester Fair 7-year-old Savannah Edgerly-Hurley of Rochester.

A new highlight of the Christmas Tree lighting was having the winners of the Miss Rochester Fair Pageant take part in the ceremony including Little Miss Rochester Fair 7-year-old Savannah Edgerly-Hurley of Rochester, Jr. Miss Rochester Fair Lindsey Lauze, 10, of Farmington and Miss Rochester Fair, Skylar Ryan, 15 of Rochester.

Dance students from Studio 109 kicked off the festivities with a dance routine followed by welcoming remarks by Dr. Jocelyn Caple, president and CEO of Frisbie Memorial Hospital, the main underwriter of the event.

Also ongoing at the event was a collection benefiting children at the Homeless Center of Strafford County. Items being collected included new books for children ages 8-17, new puzzles for children ages 12+, toilet paper and paper towels. Items can still be donated at the Chamber office on South Main Street through Dec. 16.