On Dec. 5, Middletown celebrated Christmas in the Valley to kick off the holiday season.

The night’s activities began with the Middletown High School Concert Choir and local Boy Scout troop leading carols on the porch of the Middletown Valley Florist.

The winners of the decorating contest were announced followed by the lighting of the town Christmas tree; it was a rainbow of lights.

As the scouts and the choir sang “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” Santa rode into the middle of Main St. on the Middletown Valley Volunteer Fire Department engine.

Santa, the choir, and the scouts led a few more Christmas carols before leading the crowd to the Zion Lutheran Church for the Christmas in the Valley service.

The service was led by Tom Catania and included performances from Dee Buchanan dancers, MHS Concert Choir, a local Hand Bell choir, and a local traveling religious choir.

The night ended with refreshments and the chance to see Santa in “Santa’s Alley”.

It was a perfect way to begin the Christmas season and get the whole community in the spirit.