The Fort Hamilton Army Base kicked of the holiday season with its annual Tree lighting ceremony and holiday market on Friday.

With sirens blarring Old Saint Nick, Mrs. Clause, and several elves rolled in to light the tree. Visitors had the chance to shop more than 80 vendor tables, food trucks, and a carousel.

Organizers believe the event is a way of welcoming the community. U.S. Army Sergeant Anton Gonzalez says "we bring the community into the base and we actually interact with them. Show them that, you know, we're not isolated from them. That we want to invite them in like a family, you know, like we are."

Fort Hamilton houses the U.S. NYC Recruiting Battalion; NY Military Processing Station and the North Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.