If you missed the 25th annual tree lighting in Farmington Saturday, swing by sometime this month to see the decked-out 14-foot tree at the Governor Warner Mansion.

A light snow, a large crowd and a visit from Santa made the actual Farmington Area Jaycees Tree Lighting a big success, in the eyes of event chair Jamie Rasmussen.

"It went pretty smooth," said Rasmussen, who noted attendance may have been larger than last year. "I don't think it could have been any better."

Jaycees strung several thousand lights - white for the shrubs around the gazebo and multicolored lights on the 14-foot tree inside - on Sunday, Nov. 28. Volunteers with the Governor Warner Mansion also had the historic Victorian mansion decked in its holiday finery for Saturday night's event.

Near the carriage house, where refreshments were served, Toys for Tots regional coordinator Rebecca Yarbrough accepted new, unwrapped toys, which will be distributed to needy children in the community after the Dec. 6 application deadline.

"The toys we're collecting here will be distributed until the community's needs are met," she explained, adding that once local needs are met, remaining toys may be distributed in other areas.

Regionally, Cub Scouts have been great supporters of Toys for Tots, Yarbrough said, noting the Gill Elementary Cub Scouts are doing a collection this year. Toys for Tots is a partner with the Farmington Area Goodfellows' annual holiday gift and food distribution.

"Farmington has also been stellar will lots of private collections through businesses," Yarbrough added.

Toys were also the topic of conversation on the other side of the Mansion, as children lined up on the porch to get a little face time with Santa following the lighting ceremony.

Sara Kelley will be looking for a new electronic Leapster game on Christmas morning.

"The Pencil game," she said, because "you can draw."