Rain did not stop the crowds from flocking to the Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association (BCMA) “Silver Luminary Celebration” 25th annual gathering on Friday night.

Several BCMA merchants welcomed their customers, clients and guests with extra festivities to mark the occasion.

After a visit from Santa, Mayor Mick Denham, Vice Mayor Kevin Ruane and members of Sanibel City Council officiated at the Bailey’s Center tree lighting ceremony outside the front entrance of Bailey’s General Store.

“It was great to see our Sanibel dignitaries out there in the rain with Francis Bailey and the rest of the crowd who visited the Bailey’s Center, chanting ‘Light that tree! Light that tree!’,” said Richard Johnson, General Manager of Bailey’s General Store. “Everyone had a great time kicking off the holiday season here at the island’s oldest shopping center.”

In addition to complimentary beverages and refreshments, Carl Nist-Lund (oboe) and Aislinn Kane (flute) from The Canterbury School in Fort Myers, the only two students from Lee County to be selected to perform in the Florida Orchestra Association 11th-12th Grade All-State Orchestra, provided live holiday music for carolers and Bailey’s Center visitors.