Dozens of tubas and spectators turned out for Porterdale's fourth annual Tuba Christmas, an event that has become a national hit after being created in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist and teacher William J. Bell.

Since the tuba normally only plays the bass part in songs, Tuba Christmas was designed to bring the instrument to the forefront of the music by allowing it and related instruments to play full compositions of songs.

Though named after the actual tuba, Tuba Christmas also includes related instruments, including the large sousaphone (a common marching version of the tuba), the baritone and the euphonium.