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Joy to the world certainly included joy to Waco on Saturday evening as a packed crowd in Heritage Square watched the community Christmas tree’s lights come on at dusk.

The lighting of the 30-foot tree and a fireworks display were the finale of the first day of events of Waco Wonderland, the holiday-themed festival that included an artificial ice skating rink and the first appearance of a 65-foot Ferris wheel offering a view of all the highlights of downtown.

Other daily features during the eight-day festival are visits with Santa, a “Santa mail station,” a tent with children’s activities sponsored by H-E-B, and a toy drive by Shepherd’s Heart Pantry. A row of 11 food vendors lined the south side of the parking lot at Fourth Street and Austin Avenue with seven booths by local merchants on the north side.

Donny Torres of Waco said he and his family, members of which were photographing each other in front of the lighted tree, attended the celebration last year.

“The tree and the fireworks were both better this year,” he said. “I think the fireworks display was better than the ones on the Fourth of July. And last year a section of the tree didn’t light up. I was glad everything worked this year.