"Doggie Costume Contest" Spices Tree Lighting

"Missy," a Papillion mix who came dressed as a Christmas present, won the "Doggie Christmas Costume Contest" at the recent holiday tree lighting event downtown.

"Halo," a Chihuaha who came as Rudolph in a sleigh, came in second. "Oliver," a Yorkie dressed as a snowflake, finished third in the competition.

The "Christmas Village & Tree Lighting" event drew more than 4,000 people downtown for an evening of music, choral performances, live Nativity, holiday cheer and business open house. Ninety-one-year-old WWII Veteran Bill O'Neal, the event's Grand Marshall, got to ride around town in a horse-drawn carriage during the festivities and led the tree-lighting countdown.

Take a look at photos from the event by visiting the town's Facebook page at-- Town of Clayton, NC --in Facebook.