Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival Dec. 5, 2024.

Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival Dec. 5, 2024.

Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival Dec. 5, 2024.

Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival Dec. 5, 2024.

Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival Dec. 5, 2024.

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Members of the greater Fort Knox community gathered around the post gazebo once again to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the First Lights Festival, Dec. 5.

During the ceremony winners of the annual holiday card contest were announced. Human Resources Command G3 (operations) staff, Saint James Catholic School, U.S. Army Cadet Command, Godman Airfield and Team Red, White and Blue were the five category winners for this year.

Despite the unusually chilly weather, the event was well attended. Patrons enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate and holiday music, while children had their opportunity to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, about 275 live trees were given out to Soldiers and their Families.

Editor's Note: For more photos from the event, follow the link to the official Fort Knox Flickr Page, https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortknoxky/albums/72177720322417299

Visit Fort Knox News at www.army.mil/knox for all of Central Kentucky's latest military news and information.