Hundreds gathered in Padanaram on Friday night, Dec. 2 for the village’s annual holiday stroll where the street was closed and businesses stayed open late, offering hot chocolate and mulled cider to shoppers welcoming the holiday season.

Everywhere, bundled-up children and their families delighted in the festivities with the voices of carolers filling the air and lights twinkling from every eave.

The frosty fair was lined with smiling faces as the man of the hour arrived with the first lady of the north pole by his side.

With the Rudolph and the other reindeer resting up for their big night later this month, Mr. and Mrs. Claus hitched a ride to Elm Street with the fire department, who dropped the couple off in style just in time for the tree lighting.

For the second year, the Padanaram Business Association, which organizes the event, constructed the village’s Christmas tree out of individually-designed buoys, adding a nautical flair to the celebration.

As the crowd gathered around the harbormaster’s building, the chair of the business association, David Russell, and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito stepped up to the microphone to thank them for coming.

“This is a wonderful night,” Polito said. “We thank you all for coming out for this beautiful celebration.”

Without further ado, Polito began to introduce the guest of honor, who would light the tree for all to see.

Though he did not wear a red coat or a white beard, he was nevertheless a hero to children, having worked in youth services for 34 years.

After retiring from the career, Yves “Lou” Louis came to Padanaram to be the town’s bridge tender, getting to know the community from his booth near the center of the village.

“He knew the rhythm of this community,” Polito said. “And he knew when things were out of place.”

Louis was honored over the summer with a commendation from Fire District 1 for intervening to help a young person who was struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Louis had encountered the person by chance as he arrived early for his shift on the bridge and took the time not only to speak with them, but ultimately to call for first responders who took them to the hospital to make sure they got the help they needed.

“He did something really important that day,” Polito said, finishing her speech with a moral: “get out of the booth” and become a part of the community.

After plugging in the lights and illuminating the buoy tree, Louis spoke briefly, not about his own heroic actions, but to thank the community for accepting him.

“Every single person, young and old, made me feel a part of the community,” he said, leaving the crowd with a powerful message of togetherness to ring in the holiday season.