Lansing - As the crowd finished its countdown from 10, the towering White Spruce before the Capitol transformed from a dark silhouette against the late November sky into a brilliant, blazing beacon of holiday cheer.

Seconds later, fireworks exploded over the Capitol dome, and the crowd cheered. With the events of the 19th annual Silver Bells in the City, the holiday season finally kicked off in Lansing.

"I've never seen fireworks in November before," Grand Ledge resident Al Worrell said as he watched the colorful explosions at the celebration.

Silver Bells in the City, which is held every year as a way of heralding the holiday season, took place Friday and featured free entertainment for families at more than 15 locations around downtown Lansing. Some businesses remained open during the event and Capital Area Transportation Authority provided a free transportation route downtown.

The streets were a veritable potpourri of holiday cheer - with every lamppost adorned with Christmas lights and groups of carolers singing at various street corners - as the crowd of nearly 80,000 people bustled around in the 45-degree air.

The celebration included an Electric Light Parade, which took place on Washington Square.

Groups ranging from the Lansing Board of Water and Light to the local Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Coffee moved slowly down Washington Square and Capitol Avenue in a variety of brightly lit vehicles or on foot.

Four-year-old Trevor Gelfins of Grand Ledge said he liked a fire engine decorated as the sled from Dr. Seuss's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and piloted by someone dressed as the infamous humbug.

Following the parade, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides addressed the crowd, which was about 30,000 people greater than last year, before the lighting of the state tree.

"This has been one of the best things that's ever happened to the city of Lansing," Benavides told the crowd.

"Eighty-thousand people is unbelievable."

Most of the crowd quickly dissipated after the five-minute fireworks show, but some remained to get a closer look of the spruce.

Nursing senior Cassie Boyse said she came to the event as a way to relax from the stresses of schoolwork.

"It was a great to see the lights on the tree," she said, standing next to the illuminated state tree.

"It's a special moment to wrap up the semester."