On Nov. 26 from 5-7 p.m., the Freehold Center Partnership will mark the beginning of the 2007 holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza at the corner of Court and East Main streets in downtown Freehold.
According to Jayne Carr, executive director of the Freehold Center Partnership, the event is a favorite of the community and has seen attendance of upward of 500 people in past years.
In addition to a display of lights, attendees will be treated to entertainment. Scheduled to perform at the event is the Freehold Township High School Brass Band as well as the Saint Rose Bell Choir.
According to a press release, dignitaries and elected officials from Freehold and Monmouth County are slated to participate at the program as well. Freehold Borough’s mayor and Borough Council are expected to be in attendance. Monmouth County freeholders will also participate in the tree lighting, pulling the switch and illuminating the tree.
Monmouth County supplies the tree at the Hall of Records plaza.
In addition to the decorated tree the Freehold Center Partnership will unveil its new and updated lighting decorations that will bedeck the downtown. There are new banner poles on the gateways to downtown that will also greet visitors with holiday decorations. There will also be new snowflake and wreath decorations on display.
Special guests of honor Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be attending the ceremony. The two will spread cheer and joy riding a fire truck through Freehold offering good tidings to all. Santa and Mrs. Claus will then return to the Hall of Records to sit and chat with children.
Throughout the winter the partnership has several special events planned. In addition to the Christmas tree lighting program, on tap is the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah on Dec. 6; the Freehold Comcast Holiday Concert on Dec. 7; Santa’s Train Ride on Dec. 8; Breakfast with Santa at Sweet Lew’s on Dec. 18; and culminating with a new twist on an old event, the horse-drawn Lantern Ride on Dec. 21.
This event, along with the other programs presented year round by the Freehold Center Partnership, is sponsored by The Court Jester, Jersey Central Power and Light, 94.3 The Point, CentraState Healthcare System, the Metropolitan Café, BarterPays!, Comcast and NetCentric.
For more information visit www.freeholdcenter. com.