Communities welcome winter with annual tree lightings

Tree-lighting celebrations slated in Burlington County

By: Scott Morgan and William Wichert
   With the holiday season upon us, the nights in northern Burlington County are about to get brighter.
   Holiday tree-lighting celebrations start Saturday night, when Bordentown City makes things seem an awful lot like Christmas. Where Farnsworth Avenue meets Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City Gardens (formerly the Bordentown City Garden Club) turns on the holiday lights starting at 5 p.m. Santa Claus will drop in, of course, while carolers sing and revelers sip warm refreshments.
   The same night, at 6 p.m., Mansfield Township will hold its tree lighting at the Veterans Memorial Monument outside the Municipal Building on East Main Street. Santa Claus will pay a visit, and the Girl and Boy Scouts will sing carols.
   On Dec. 2, the Roebling Historical Society will hold its annual tree lighting at the Main Street Circle at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature caroling led by fourth- and fifth-graders from Holy Assumption School. The following night, at 7 p.m., there will be a tree-lighting event at the Florence Township Municipal Building on Broad Street. Both events will feature music from the Florence Township Memorial High School band, a visit from Santa Claus, and goodie bags for kids.
   On Dec. 5, Bordentown Township kicks off its holiday season with the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Municipal Building at 6 p.m. The night is scheduled to begin with the traditional mayor’s welcome and holiday songs as performed by the MacFarland Junior School Chorus. The night concludes at the township Senior Community Center, where The Senior Chorus will sing holiday songs, as will Peter Ziegler, the township’s official vocalist. Students from the Peter Muschal School, Clara Barton School and MacFarland will be awarded prizes for winning entries in the township’s holiday essay contest.
   Light refreshments will be served at the end of the festivities.
   North Hanover also will have its annual tree lighting on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. outside the Municipal Building on Schoolhouse Road. Santa Claus will arrive aboard a firetruck. After the ceremony, local children can enjoy hot chocolate and doughnuts at C.B. Lamb Elementary School across the street, where Santa will be available to hear what the kids want for Christmas.
   On Dec. 11, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony at the Crosswicks Community House on Main Street, starting at 6:30 p.m. Santa will pay a visit and Chesterfield’s various Girl Scout troops will sing carols. Light refreshments also will be served.