Santa Claus — seen at previous appearances in Fair Haven and Red Bank — maintains a busy schedule this weekend, with no less than six tree-lighting ceremonies on throughout the Greater Red Bank Green. (Photos by Susan Ericson, Peter Lindner)
As has been the tradition for a generation or more, downtown Red Bank got an early jump on the season of lights with its annual Town Lighting event and concert (check out redbankgreen‘s gallery of images from last Friday). But there’s plenty more Greater Green where that came from — and for those of us who simply can’t get enough complimentary hot cocoa, we’ve got the reindeer rundown on a busy weekend of tree lighting ops.
Read on for details on the festive fun in Fair Haven, Little Silverl Middletown, Rumson, Sea Bright and Red Bank.
Tim McLoone (third from right) and the Shirleys are slated to perform at the Rumson Tree Lighting ceremony Sunday in Victory Park. Below, young carolers at the Little Silver ceremony in 2014.
FRIDAY: The Fair Haven Tree Lighting ceremony returns to Memorial Park (across from the borough offices on River Road) as part of an evening that commences at 5 p.m. with a Holiday Stroll through the borough’s business district. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 5:30, with the switch flipped for the town’s official tree at 6 p.m. Read on for more festive fun in Fair Haven — plus a whole lot more goings-on in Middletown, Rumson, Sea Bright, Little Silver, and the West Side of Red Bank.
Next Thursday, December 8, sees the second annual appearance of Fair Haven’s “Shop the Neighborhood” Trolley Ride — a promotion (from the folks at the Fair Haven Business Association) that represented a welcome new addition to December’s wintry mix last year. Taking place from 5 to 9 p.m., the event finds a selection of the borough’s retail establishments and restaurants keeping special extended hours, with giveaways, raffles, special discounts and songs of the season as performed by students from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. A complimentary “HollyTrolley” shuttle service can be picked up at Ferguson Dental Care (811 River Road, between DeNormandie and Gillespie avenues), or Umberto’s (583 River Road) — so check the association’s Facebook page for updates and more details.
********
SATURDAY: Red Bank’s annual Westside Tree Lighting returns to Johnny Jazz Park (corner of Shrewsbury Avenue and Drs. James Parker Boulevard) for a festive affair that begins at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be dispensed, Santa will make a special stop on his super-busy seasonal schedule, and the young voices of Red Bank Primary School will perform holiday carols during the event that’s co-sponsored by Red Bank Parks and Recreation, Pilgrim Baptist Church, and the borough-based nonprofit Lunch Break. Take it here for updates and additional info — and follow redbankgreen for details on special holiday-themed events going on around Red Bank each Saturday during the season.
********
SUNDAY: The Little Silver Holiday Tree Lighting heralds a busy afternoon/ evening of community events with a ceremony that commences 4 p.m. at Borough Hall (480 Prospect Avenue), followed by a special Sunday-hours opening of the nearby Little Silver Post Office Museum.
********
SUNDAY: The annual Rumson Christmas Tree Lighting returns to Victory Park for a ceremony that kicks off at 5 p.m., and features live musical entertainment by Tim McLoone (joined by the Shirleys and members of his Holiday Express troupe), as well as the Tower Singers of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High and the third-grade chorus from Deane-Porter School.
********
SUNDAY: Middletown Township’s Christmas Tree Lighting returns once more to the Middletown Cultural & Arts Center (adjacent to the train station on Church Street) for a three-hour tour (5 to 8 p.m.) that promises a Santa sighting, refreshments and more, as hosted by the township’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
********
SUNDAY: Beginning 5:30 p.m. on the Municipal Beach behind Borough Hall, the Sea Bright Tree and Menorah Lighting puts the crowning star on the weekend’s wonderland of activity, with an event that offers up complimentary refreshments and a special meet-and-greet appearance by both Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Contact the various municipalities with any questions on weather-related reschedulings or other updates… and check redbankgreen‘s daily Go On Green feature for more news on Christmas concerts, gift sales, benefits, menorah lightings and more holiday happenings, all around the evergreen Green.
