Hot chocolate, Santa, and a proud community were the theme of the night at the third annual Christmas in Cassopolis event Saturday night.

Festivities began at 9 am with the Community Christmas Bazaar at Sam Adams Elementary School, followed by the ninth annual Community Christmas Celebration at the VFW sponsored by the Cassopolis-Vandalia Chamber of Commerce. The VFW celebration included lunch with Santa Claus and caroling.

The Community Tree Lighting Ceremony began at 4:30 and included caroling around the village on a wagon decorated with Christmas lights, hot chocolate and cookies at the Log Cabin Museum, music from SMC and Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School students, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Sawyer, Paige, and Amanda Lilley were among those who weathered the cold to take part in the celebration — and got to see three Santas that day, according to Sawyer, 8, who asked for a remote control car.

“I really love baby dolls so I asked for a baby doll bunk bed that comes with a bunch of toys and two bottles,” Amanda, 5, said. “She said getting and opening presents is her part of Christmas, but big sister Paige, 6, was quick to chime in that she “loves that it’s baby Jesus’ birthday.”

Taigan Rockwell, 4, asked for a Barbie house with a pink elevator.

A couple hundred people participated in the event coordinator and village council member Cynthia Ash said.

“Given the weather, [the turnout] has been great,” Ash said.

Ash said the goal for the night was to bring the community together to grow in a positive and fun way and to get people to take pride in the community.

“We want people to enjoy Cass and enjoy what we have to offer, and this is one of the things we have to offer. I like seeing the smiles on people’s faces, the people standing around the fire and getting hot chocolate.”

Bonnie Purlee and Ginger Luxenberger, members of the Pioneer Log Cabin Museum, enjoyed seeing people patronize the museum which opened specially for the event.

The museum, which is solely funded by donations, got a new roof this year and the museum board hopes to raise enough for chinking and a sealant next year.

Purlee said her favorite part of the event is “bringing the community together and bringing people to the cabin because it’s the history of Cass county. It’s not just state history, but our history”.

After lighting the tree, Ash encouraged the crowd, “Be proud of your tree, be proud of your village, be proud.”