To mark the beginning of Levelland’s Festival of Lights and Christmas on the Square, South Plains College will hosted its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday at the entrance to its Levelland campus. Gary Hudson, SPC professor of music, directed the musical entertainment while Santa Claus made a special appearance before heading to the gazebo on the Hockley County Courthouse Square. The countdown for the tree lighting was done by Santa as SPC President Robin Satterwhite, 2024 Miss Caprock Blanca Espinoza of Seminole and retiring SPC Groundskeeper Norma Mendoza screwed in the missing lightbulb into a string of lights. The SPC Office of Student Life hosted an event featuring holiday-themed activities and giveaways ahead of the tree lighting and provided hot chocolate, hot apple cider and a holiday cookie-decorating station during the event. Pictured are the trees lit following the countdown.