Families and friends gathered to celebrate the season at the tree lighting ceremony in front of Birmingham's City Hall on November 25, 2009. The entire front of City Hall was lit up. Caroling, hot cocoa and horse-drawn carriage rides were a part of the fun. Birmingham Mayor Rackeline Hoff and other members of the city commission were on hand, along with the big man himself, Santa Clause. The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Birmingham has been held since 1992. It is usually held at Shain Park, but that park is under construction and was unavailable this year.