Hundreds of spectators gathered at the foot of the Ohio Statehouse Monday evening, huddling together for warmth as they waited for the 93rd annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Tree Lighting.

Gov. Ted Strickland planned to speak to the crowd, but was unable to attend because of a last minute change of plans.

Former Ohio Sen. Richard Finan filled in and gave a short speech instead. Taking the cold weather into account, Finan made some last second changes to his speech.

“I was given remarks for five minutes,” he said. “The good news is I’m going to read them in 30 seconds.”

Standing in front of three choirs, a brass ensemble and numerous mascots, Finan welcomed those brave enough to bear the cold weather.

The Con Brio Children’s Choir sang a rendition of “The Night Before Christmas” to kick off the night.

Shortly after, First Lady Frances Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher lit two 28-foot blue spruces.

To signal the lighting, a cannon was fired by the First Ohio Light Artillery Statehouse Battery A, a Civil War reenactment group.

Rod Hartman, one of the Civil War artillery men, said the turnout was not as high as expected.

“It was a lot warmer last year,” he said. “A lot more people showed up.”

After Finan’s quick-to-the-point speech, the doors to the Ohio Statehouse opened and a scene unfolded reminiscent of Black Friday. Hordes of people crowded through the small entrance, spilling into the rotunda and other areas of the Statehouse.

Once inside, guests were greeted by a plethora of sights and sounds.

The Eastwood Academy Choir sang carols on a staircase at the top of the South Hall while the Chapel Brass of the Salvation Army played during breaks.

In another room, the Bexley High School Choir gave a concert performance, caroling to tunes such as “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night.”

Some of the crowd stood mesmerized as Etch A Sketch master Tim George twisted and turned two white knobs to create animals. Other children headed straight for Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

The Columbus Zoo featured a live animal display, with a Humboldt penguin and an albino Burmese python.

One father, visibly frightened, refused to get near the snake.

“I’m not touching that thing,” he said as his child took his turn petting the snake.

A Lego recreation of the Ohio Statehouse and the surrounding buildings was also on display, impressing more than just the children.

“From artist-to-artist, that took a lot of time,” said Emily Butler, a freshman in fine arts at Columbus College of Art and Design.

To wind the night down, children gathered for a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.”

Matt Hancharick can be reached at [email protected].