It was a time of fellowship with old friends and the making of new friends at the annual Christmas Lights Party.

SYRACUSE — The smell of a fire in the fire place, the sounds of Christmas music and laughter filled the air at the fifth annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Christmas Lights Party Friday evening, Dec. 6.

Cooper Chin, 8 months old, son of Chelsea Becker, was the youngest guest at the party.

Guests gathered in the Ruddell Pavilion on the WACF property, which was decked with holiday lights. A lone evergreen tree stood nearby covered in white lights. Two propane patio heaters and a roaring fire in the fire place provided warmth in the pavilion for guests to get out of the cold night air and enjoy conversations with old friends and make new friends.

Dave Brandes, former chairman, briefly noted this was the fifth year for the event, which began after an idea of having his wife Susie paint the pavilion with Christmas lights. This prompted the start of “life imitating art” and the annual Christmas Lights Party.

Those who attended were given the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jerry Sweeten about the Wawasee Inlets Nutrient Study as well as learn more about WACF from board members, or just catch up with life’s happenings.

The evening additionally included an opportunity to enjoy four different chili’s and two chicken noodle hot dishes, hot cider, and a variety of sweets.