Large crowd for Grapevine's annual Carol of Lights event

GRAPEVINE, Texas - Hundreds of people were in Grapevine for the 31st annual Carol of Lights show and street lighting Monday night.

There was live music, fireworks and even a visit from Old Saint Nick.

Families found more than enough to do at the event kicking off the holiday season in Grapevine. Reindeer posed for photos, Frosty the Snowman greeted visitors, restaurant and retail vendors lined Main Street and even Elvis got in on some Christmas karaoke.

The night meant everything to U.S. Navy Anti-Terrorism Security Officer Kevin Fahlund, who is getting some wholesome quality time with his children as he's home from deployment and they are home from school. On New Year's Day, he deploys again to the Middle East.

"It's for these little ones right here,” he said. “And we have to do everything we can to raise them right and see what great things are happening around our communities and in our nation."

Briley and Hadley Kimble waited anxiously to meet Santa with their older sister, mother, grandmother and great aunt.

"It's fun to get out of the house and find stuff and fill their day and have fun on their break,” said Keller resident Meredith Kimble.

After the sun went down, the lights came on to mark the official beginning of Christmas time in the Christmas capital of Texas.

Grapevine's Parade of Lights is next Thursday, December 6th. More than a hundred floats will move through downtown.