Nearly 1,000 residents came downtown for the annual tree lighting ceremony and free skate night at the Rink on the River. This year the Billinghurst Middle School Choir sang before Mayor Bob Cashell pushed the button to light the 44-foot tree. Spectators were surprized when a flash mob broke out in the crowd with about 150 dancers of all ages doing a mix of dances to holiday music. The grand finale was a performance on the ice by the Eldorado Hotel Casino’s Holiday Ice Spectacular. Residents could skate for free if they brought new gloves and hats for a donation to needy residents.