Like Santa, Red Bank RiverCenter will be busy this holiday season spreading holiday cheer through programs designed to enhance the experience of visiting and shopping in a traditional downtown setting.
The holiday season will begin in Red Bank Friday with the traditional Holiday Express concert, the town and tree lighting, and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. This year’s concert, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., will kick off Holiday Express’ 10th season. The concert location has been moved north on Broad Street to the intersection with Canal Street. A large video screen and additional speakers in front of St. James Church will allow everyone to see and hear the concert clearly.
The concert and tree lighting are sponsored by Red Bank RiverCenter, Riverview Medical Center and Commerce Bank.
Holiday Express is an all-volunteer, nonsectarian organization that delivers music, toys, clothing, food and games to children with terminal illnesses, AIDS patients, the mentally ill, disadvantaged families, the isolated elderly and the homeless. To make a donation or to volunteer, visit www.holidayexpress.org or call (732) 544-8010.
Red Bank retailers will deck their windows for the second annual Red Bank Holiday Window Walk, set to begin Nov. 28 and continue through Dec. 31. Some 30 participating businesses will decorate their windows with creative and original holiday themes, and a panel of judges chosen by Red Bank RiverCenter will decide on the winners. The top three winners will receive a free advertisement in a local paper and a "Window Walk 2003 Winner" ribbon to display.
More "window dressing" will be provided by live mannequins who will model fashions and accessories in the storefront windows of more than a dozen downtown businesses. The event, sponsored by RiverCenter and the Barbizon School of Modeling, will take place Nov. 30, 2-4 p.m. Barbizon students or graduates will pose at participating retailers, including Funk & Standard Variety Store, Mustillo’s, Old Monmouth Candy, Cafe Everest, Lace Silhouettes Lingerie, Cocoon, Primas Home & Cafe, Cigars Plus, Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe, Tesori Jewelry and Coco Pari.
Shoppers will be serenaded by holiday music on Saturday. The Holiday Harmonies music series will take place throughout the downtown, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20, noon to 3 p.m., provided by bell ringers, choirs, brass bands and carolers. Locations will include the Red Bank Christmas tree at Broad and Monmouth streets, and the Dublin House Courtyard on Monmouth Street.
To get shoppers around town, the Red Bank Holiday Trolley will begin its circuit for the sixth holiday season Friday. Sponsored by RiverCenter, the Borough of Red Bank, and Metrovation/Terranomics, the trolley will run Friday through Sunday until Dec. 21. The fare is 50 cents, free for seniors and preschoolers, and the trolley will travel from The Grove in Shrewsbury to Broad Street with stops along the route.
Red Bank RiverCenter is a not-for-profit alliance of downtown businesses, property owners, and residents working toward the economic vitality of downtown Red Bank.