ROCHESTER — As the kids sang “Let It Snow,” it rained. 

Dozens of Rochester Memorial School students caroled to a throng collected at town hall for the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting Monday, Dec. 9.

A tent shielded the singers from the heavy precipitation as they were led through holiday classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer” and “O Christmas Tree” by music teachers Susan Audette and Kaitlyn Laprise.

Minutes after the students performed “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” Santa Claus actually did come to town — on a fire truck.

“When the fire truck shows up, that’s when everybody gets excited,” Rochester resident Derek Ashworth said.

After disembarking from the fire engine, Santa Claus and firefighters handed out candy canes to a swarm of children.

“I love hearing the kids running to that truck, and they look forward to seeing Santa and getting some candy canes and some hot chocolate,” Ashworth said.

Rochester Memorial School students Weylyn and Rhiannon Sanders had collected more than a dozen candy canes.

They heard sirens and Santa laughing as they walked towards the tree lighting, Weylyn Sanders said.

“Santa was a huge hit,” Suzi Ashworth said. “The kids loved it.”

Suzi and Derek Ashworth came to the tree lighting with their kids. 

“It was just nice to see the community and the tree lighting, and the kids get to play together,” Suzi Ashworth said.  

The annual gathering serves as a sing-along at which every Rochester Memorial student is invited to participate, according to Audette.

“It’s a very exciting night for the kids,” she said.

The students sang on the front steps of town hall.

“There’s a definite holiday energy that makes it really fun,” Laprise said.

The Christmas tree in front of town hall was lit by Georgia Duggan, a Rochester Memorial School fifth grader who won a poster contest for the event. 

“Your artwork was inspiring, and we are thrilled to recognize you for your achievement,” Select Board Chair Brad Morse said.

Nora Murphy and Jocelyn Bobrowiecki received honorable mentions. Their three posters for the contest — the theme was winter holiday time in Rochester — are displayed in town hall.

“Your efforts bring so much joy to this event, and we’re grateful for all your creativity and hard work,” Morse said to the Rochester Memorial staff and students who had organized the event.

The school sing-along ended with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The caroling came to a close. The fire truck with Santa approached from afar. The engine’s lights and noises cut through the thick rain.