The Christmas season came to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Thursday as employees and their families participated in a tree lighting ceremony at the center’s new headquarters building.

“This is the third year we’ve done this, and this year we decided to have it inside,” said Lt. Col. Reggie Jamo, the center’s executive officer.

The program included hot chocolate, different crafts and activities tables for the children and a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on a wide screen in one area of the headquarters lobby. Santa made an appearance to help light the tree and visit with the children, who had their picture taken with him.

The program included a welcome from ERDC Commander Col. Ivan Beckman and a brief address by Mayor George Flaggs Jr.

“This is a much better arrangement,” Jamo said. “Everything is much more convenient. Before, we would have the tree lighting outside and then everyone would go into another building, and the building wasn’t quite set up. Here we have everything in one place, and it’s more enjoyable.”