3rd annual Lights at the Lake kicked off Saturday evening

The El Paso County Parks and Recreation hosted the third annual Lights on the Lake.

Families were treated to performances, a visit from Santa and the official lighting of the lake.

On Saturday evening, crews started prepping for guests ready to attend the traditional event.

Carmen Dominguez and her family decided to stop by and check out the festivities.

“It’s something to do with the kids and it’s nice weather,” Dominguez said.

Animal Services of El Paso took a few to pooches out for adoption.

The agency was charging $5 to adopt a pet, micro-chipped and vaccinated.

Several food trucks showed up for anyone with an appetite.

“The weather couldn’t be more than picture perfect. The sunset was excellent and look at the surroundings,” attendee Alma Murral said.

“This is the type of thing we want to do with Ascarate Lake. We want people to come back,” said David Stout, county commissioner.

Stout told ABC-7 this was the biggest crowd to date.

“We have 20 of us here,” visitor Frank Buell said.

The event seemed very dog friendly and Santa Clause showed up making quite an entrance on his ship.

“It’s pretty cool Santa’s getting turnt with all the music,” said onlooker Morgan Gaham.

But it was one moment that many came to watch:

the flip of the switch that lit Christmas decorations along the lake.

“This year it’s phenomenal. It’s beautiful. It’s great,” Buell said.

“It’s an amazing event and we want to continue it into the future,” Stout added.

The Christmas lights will be up until early January.

Park officials said Monday through Friday there will be no entrance fee. There will be a $2 charge on the weekends, and the park will be open until 10 p.m.