Photos: Holiday Lighting at the Lakes 2012

The largest "Christmas Tree" in Santee lit up for a light show in the middle of Lake One at Santee Lakes at the first annual Holiday Lighting at the Lakes Saturday evening.

As dark approached people packed the new pavilion at Lake One, a parade of decorated golf carts rode past, and Task Force 96, a group of remote controlled miniature military replica boats topped with Christmas lights played in the lake.

The tree, which is actually just a large pole draped with Christmas lights to look like a tree, will display a light show just after dark every day until Christmas. It is powered by two solar panels and an array of batteries designed and installed by graduate students at SDSU as their school project.

The Santa at the Lakes event takes place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will round out the holiday events at the lake this weekend with rides, snow, festivities and a visit from Santa.