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GLOVERSVILLE - City residents of all ages weathered blustery winds and warmed the Four Corners with their holiday spirit Friday at the city's annual Christmas tree-lighting.

Forty years ago, the Society to Promote Revitalization in Gloversville sponsored its first tree-lighting to officially kick off the Christmas season in the city.

But this year, members of SPRING dissolved the organization, donated what was left of its operating funds, and created Spring Spirits for Life, an all-new all-volunteer spin-off organization of the original SPRING.

Joan Esper, the mistress of ceremonies at Friday's tree lighting, has played a role in planning the ceremony for SPRING for at least the past 30 years, but there is no way two people could ever do it alone, Esper said, as she mentioned the help of several local families and her 33 grandchildren.

"It's a very special time when you get the kids involved," Esper said.

The Christmas tree illuminated Friday was provided by an anonymous donor and professionally installed before last Christmas, said Wally Hart, representing both the city's Business Improvement District and the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"It was the biggest tree we could have planted and not have to worry about it dying," said Hart.

Twenty-four strands of LED lights adorn the tree. Jim Walsh, the city electrician who decorated the scene, said he chose the lighting with efficiency in mind, and the whole display is lit with just 180 watts - the same amount of energy needed to power three 60-watt lightbulbs.

"It's pretty neat to make it energy efficient, especially in light of the budget crunch," Walsh said.

The crowd sang "God Bless America" to kick off the event Friday, then launched into Christmas standards including "Feliz Navidad," which was led by Esper's four grandchildren from Peru.

"I felt very happy," said Maria Esper, one of the grandchildren, who experienced her first Thanksgiving on Thursday. "It was very beautiful."

This year, a group from the Glove Performing Arts Center joined the ceremony for the first time to perform a holiday medley for the crowd.

After Santa Claus arrived on a local fire engine, attendees followed him to the the Senior Citizens Service Center of Gloversville & Fulton County for cookies, hot chocolate and a chance to share their wish lists with Santa.

"I asked for a four-wheeler," said Lucas Iorio, 4.

His brother Matthew Iorio, 2, requested Disney/Pixar's "Cars."

"Traditions like these are times spent with family and friends, which we sometimes take for granted," Mayor-Elect Dayton King said of the ceremony. "It makes you realize how special they are."

King was presented a "key to the North Pole" at the tree-lighting so that he can "visit anytime he wants," Joan Esper said at the ceremony.

Jordan DiMarco, 14, has sung Christmas carols at the tree-lighting ceremony since he was 4 years old.

"I think it's good for children and fun for everyone," DiMarco said, "especially because everyone gets cookies and hot chocolate." DiMarco's favorite carol is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Other attendees, like Tammi Russell and her daughter, Emily Russell, celebrated the tree-lighting for the first time.

"We had some errands to run and the shops were closed, so we figured we'd come down and check it out," Russell said.

Amanda Whistle can be reached by e-mail at montco@leaderherald.com.