Islanders gathered around the Christmas Tree at Wells Fargo Dec. at 6 p.m. 1 to celebrate the Festival of Lights, organized by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.

“Thank you everyone for coming out tonight, despite the rain,” Chamber Executive Director Becki Day began. It was the first time it had rained on the annual event in years, and it didn’t just rain, it poured.

Treats and beverages were served from a tent located in the Wells Fargo parking lot while people waited for the Island Chordsman and the Elementary School’s Treblemakers Choir to begin caroling.

Day thanked Casey Baisch, local arborist, and his crew for stringing lights on the Christmas Tree, which was dedicated to remember veterans in 1995, according to the plaque at its base. The crowd cheered as the tree was officially lit, and the caroling got underway.