Dan Rudy/ Wrangell Sentinel

With a controlled explosion from its crown Friday night, the city's Christmas tree sparks to life at the start of Midnight Madness. Not actually held at midnight – the festivities were scheduled for a more reasonable 6 p.m. – the annual tradition kicks off the Christmas season in Wrangell. A pair of bazaars were held by local craftspeople throughout the evening, refreshments sold at the Chamber pavilion, and a queue to see Santa at the WCA Cultural Center started soon after the tree lighting.