BATH —  Carolers, cookies and Claus — Santa Claus, that is — will make an appearance in Bath tonight, as the community gathers to light the town Christmas tree.

Bath Mayor Jimmy Latham will have the tree-lighting honor, and many others will participate in what has become an annual event: a welcome from Historic Bath Garden Club President Sally LaCava, “Silver Bells” sung by Treva Tankard; a reading of “Polar Express” by June Wallace, and a sing-along “We Wish You a Merry Christmas, topped off by an appearance by the man himself: Santa Claus.

The tree-lighting ceremony is in its fifth year and the attending crowd has grown, according to Ruth Petersen, charged with publicity for the event.

“Last year was the largest crowd yet — before that it was more just the garden club members and their families and friends, but now we’re getting the word out to everybody,” Petersen said.

Organized by Historic Bath Garden Club, every year garden club members decorate the tree at the intersection of South Main and Carteret streets. According to Petersen, the planting of the holly tree at that location was what inspired the tree-lighting event. And just like the tree-lighting crowd has grown, so has the actual tree, which is now referred to as a “good size.” This year, volunteers decided to shake up its decoration — trading white lights for colored ones and expanding the decorating repertoire to include larger ornaments.

In addition to the warm glow of the Christmas tree once Latham flips the switch, hot cider will be provided for adults in attendance, and chocolate chip cookies and punch for the children.

Special guest of the evening will be the jolly old elf himself.

“Of course, to the children, that’s the most important part,” Petersen laughed.

The Town of Bath will follow up the tree lighting ceremony with its annual parade on Dec. 7, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. tonight.