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Greensboro usually spreads its holiday cheer through the Whoville event, but after accruing a negative balance of $16,000 from last year’s event, the town went in a different direction.

This year, Greensboro featured an assortment of lights, cutout Christmas themed characters and houses for the residents to walk through and enjoy.

“It’s just trying to give a little something back to the community and to celebrate the holiday,� Town Manager Cindy Yost said. “Everybody that we talked to said that they loved it and they enjoyed it.�

In addition to the assortment of lights, the town handed out free hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, free pictures from Chelsea Powell, music from Greater Impact Church in Greensboro and Santa Claus for the children.

During the two-hour event, the town served over 200 hot chocolates, multiple bags of cookies and apple cider.

“Everybody donated, a little bit of something to help us out, which was awesome,� Yost said.

Yost said the town is thankful for all the volunteers, Town Council members and employees coming out to participate in the Christmas event.

“I think it was imperative for the community to step up and and come in and even for the mayor and council to come in and recognize that this was an event that everybody needed to participate in,� Yost said. “I think everybody had a good time. But it’s imperative for people in the community to come and volunteer for these types of events. That’s how you’re able to hold them, we can’t do it without volunteers.�