The Snowzilla slide at the Kilgore Historic Preservation Foundation’s 2018 "A Very Derrick Christmas" celebration in Kilgore, Texas, on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Hundreds of families headed to downtown Kilgore on a brisk fall Thursday evening for Kilgore Historic Preservation Foundation’s 2018 “A Very Derrick Christmas” celebration.

The annual derrick-lighting ceremony has been the official kickoff to the community’s holiday season for more than two decades.

The lighting ceremony was free and open to the public, with festivities beginning at 5 p.m. and the main program at 6 p.m. The event was hosted by Dave Huber, who declared “All Aboard the Star Express” for an evening of holiday entertainment.

Performers included the Kilgore College Rangerettes; the Kilgore High School coed dance class, high-steppers and choir; In-Step Dancer Center; the Rev. Harry Caldwell; Sabine Singing Sensations; and the Kilgore College Industry Dance Company.

Kenny Mobbs, Kilgore Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Citizen of the Year, threw the ceremonial switch and lit the derricks around 7 p.m.

Kids were could make crafts and play games and there were carriage rides around downtown. The holiday kickoff included free rides on the inflatable Snowzilla slide plus an early visit from Santa Claus before his official debut Nov. 27 in the 88th Kilgore Christmas Parade.

TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @Chelsea_Purgahn