POULSBO — When the city engaged in a seasonal tradition the day after Thanksgiving — the lighting of the tree on Viking Avenue and Lindvig Way — it ran into a bit of a problem.

Before it was time to light the tree near the 15-foot Viking statue, there was a lull in activity.

“We kind of ran out of entertainment as the evening wore on,” Mayor Becky Erickson said. “We had about 500 people there.”

But luckily, Miss Poulsbo Makenzie Moody came to the rescue.

“Makenzie has a beautiful voice,” Erickson said. “Commissioner (Rob) Gelder and I grabbed Miss Poulsbo and said ‘sing.’”

“She got up to the mic, totally impromptu, and proceeded to sing a bunch of really beautiful Christmas carols,” Erickson said.

It was for moments like this, and all her work in 2013, that Moody was presented with the key to the city during the Dec. 11 City   Council meeting.

“Thank you to everyone. It’s a huge honor,” Moody said. “I absolutely love Poulsbo. It’s very dear to me.”

The mayor presented Moody with a plaque holding the key to the city, that read “Miss Makenzie Moody, 2013 Miss Poulsbo, a key to our hearts with appreciation and gratitude.”

Moody accepted the key with a smile.

“I adore all the traditions we all have, like the Julefest,” Moody said as she accepted the key.

“It’s so great to celebrate the Norwegian heritage of Poulsbo and it’s been an absolute honor to be the representative of Poulsbo over the last year.”