And without the mean judge.

Instead, three friendly and encouraging volunteer judges listened to eight local acts audition for Cary's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Variety Show on Dec. 5.

The tree lighting is part of a 20-plus year tradition, spanning downtown Cary. It includes a winter festival with vendors, food and Santa, a "Victorian Christmas" tour at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center and an "It's a Wonderful Life" radio show featuring the Cary Players.

The event is capped with a local celebrity lighting the tree. Last year, the late Kay Yow, famed N.C. State basketball coach, held the honor. This year's, the tree will be lit by Alisa Wright Colopy, winner of Cary's first Hometown Spirit Award.

Waiting for performers, Joy Ennis, Cary's festivals coordinator, chatted with judges Kay Struffolino, Phil Shepard and David Lindquist about the possibility of using fake snow at the performance. They decided on dried mashed potato flakes.

Besides the special effects, the town worked to make sure the radio show had local talent too.

The auditions were open to anyone willing to brave rainy weather on a recent weeknight to sing in front of strangers.

Some were great, some were nervous.

Some barely made it there.

"I just heard about the auditions today," said Ashley Ratliff, out of breath, sneakers squeaking from the wet streets outside. The 25-year-old Apex resident gave a big-voiced, soulful rendition of "O Holy Night." She found out about the auditions from her mother, who heard about them on the radio that morning.

Mother and daughter duo Erika Anardo and Maricella Yates each gave a separate audition.

Daughter Maricella went first, dressed in reindeer antlers and a sparkly dress. She momentarily forgot her words, but then finished her song strongly.

Her mother followed with "Silver Bells."

Ennis said most auditioners can contribute something of value to the show.

"We'll have to look at the whole group of people and see how they fit in," she said.

One auditioner stood out with sheer guts.

Yening Feng usually sings classical Chinese folk songs in her native language. She launched into "Jingle Bells," dancing and wearing a festive green sweater.

Even though she struggled with some pronunciation, she ended on a high, beautiful note.

The following week, all the auditioners were notified they had made it into the show.

And Erika and Maricella, the mother and daughter who auditioned separately, will do a duet.