PHOTO GALLERY: 47th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Shelter Insurance

December 1, 2012 | 6:00 a.m. CST

Shelter Insurance headquarters was the site of the 47th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Friday evening. The West Junior High School Delphian Choir performed at the lighting and a Shelter Insurance employee dressed up as Santa Claus.

The West Junior High School Delphian Choir performs before the 47th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Shelter Insurance headquarters Friday evening. Members of the choir wore Santa hats and reindeer antlers while singing Christmas songs. | Kile Brewer

A Shelter Insurance employee, right, plays the part of Santa Claus at the company's 47th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Friday evening. Santa had three elves, all played by his children, who handed out candy canes and small gifts to the children who lined up for photos. | Kile Brewer

A Shelter Insurance employee dressed as Santa hugs Alizah Shope, a third-grader from Ridgeway Elementary School. Alizah was the first in line to sit on his lap after pushing the button to light the Christmas tree at the 47th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Shelter Insurance headquarters Friday evening. | Kile Brewer

Alex Ravert, Hannah Myers and Katelyn Iles, all 15, pose with each other for photos in front of the Shelter Insurance Christmas tree after the company's 47th annual lighting ceremony Friday evening. | Kile Brewer