<em>Photo above: Children had tons of fun riding the Polar Express during the annual Port Royal Golf Cart Parade event. Photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>

Christmas events were held around town recently and folks came out in droves to celebrate the holidays.

In Port Royal, a golf cart parade was held on Dec. 10, where people decked out their carts in holiday finery.

In addition to a special appearance by Santa and his elves, there were refreshments, Christmas tree decorating and a ride on the Polar Express train for the children.

Additionally, on Dec. 9, Friends of Shanklin, a community-based nonprofit organization, held its Light Up the Night Family Festival, a holiday program at Habersham Marketplace. The event provided activities for all ages. There was ornament painting, letter writing to Santa, a performance by the Shanklin Elementary Choir and more.

Proceeds will help to advance Shanklin Elementary students’ educational and leadership skills.

[caption id="attachment_30699" align="aligncenter" width="1886"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1A-habersham.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-30699"><img class="size-full wp-image-30699" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/1A-habersham.jpg" alt="A boy looks up at the lights while sitting on his father’s shoulders during the Light Up the Night Family Festival." width="1886" height="2136" /></a> A boy looks up at the lights while sitting on his father’s shoulders during the Light Up the Night Family Festival.[/caption]