Residents line Detroit Avenue for fifth annual Light Up Lakewood Festival

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Holiday spirit was in the air Saturday night in Lakewood as residents lined both sides of Detroit Avenue for the fifth annual Light Up Lakewood Festival. 

The event kicked-off with a winter festival parade where Santa was the main attraction.  The sound of young voices screaming for Santa's attention was common as Saint Nick's parade car cruised by.

Patti Mullins of Cleveland took part in the festivities for the third year in a row with her granddaughter Breanna Kurtz of Parma.  They both came prepared donning their red and white Santa hats.

"It's very organized," said Mullins.  "It's very nice for the kids.  They do a really good job.  It's safe.  It's very nice."

"I really like it," said Kurtz.  "It's really fun here what they do."

Holiday goers looked on with amazement as the St. Edward High School Trash Talkers drummer group banged out tunes with sticks on metal garbage can lids and plastic containers. 

Lakewood High School juniors Peter Nelson and Rachel Ritter were crowned as first-ever Light Up Lakewood Festival King and Queen.

With Santa, a Will Ferrell look-a-like elf and even a green-faced grinch by her side, Morgan Harper, student and essay contest winner, had the honor of flipping the switch to light up holiday lights displayed on the grounds of Lakewood Hospital.

While the crowd took in the twinkling holiday spectacle in front of them, they had no choice but to turn around as a surprise fireworks extravaganza filled the night sky on the other side of Detroit Avenue behind them.

For Lakewood Alive Executive Director Ian Andrews, Saturday's holiday festival served to benefit Lakewood as a whole.

"It's important really for the economic health of a city to show that we really do have such a vibrant, urban, cool community here in Lakewood, not just everyday but during these special events," said Andrews.