A Douglas fir tree donated by High Ridge Farms in Upper Freehold makes its way aboard a flatbed truck to the Hall of Records in Freehold, where it will be decorated to serve as Monmouth County’s Christmas tree this year. UPPER FREEHOLD – The evergreen serving as Monmouth County’s Christmas tree this year made its way to Main Street in Freehold from a township farm.
County Shade Tree employee John O’Connor had spotted a group of tall evergreens on a 10-acre site on Route 539 and started inquiring earlier this month if the owner would like to donate one for the county’s holiday display in downtown Freehold, according to a press release from Monmouth County.
High Ridge Farms, which is located in Upper Freehold directly across the street from the Monmouth County Highway Department’s District 7 headquarters, agreed to donate a 30-foot Douglas fir from the group to the county.
“They gave me a couple of choices, and we picked the Douglas fir,” O’Connor said.
County employees carefully removed the tree and rolled it into downtown Freehold aboard a flatbed truck Nov. 20. The employees had to trim the trunk with a chain saw in order to fit the tree into the tree stand.
Monmouth County’s Christmas tree on East Main Street in Freehold was discovered on a 10-acre site on Route 539 owned by High Ridge Farms in Upper Freehold. The tree was placed and decorated in front of the Hall of Records on East Main Street and later lit Nov. 26 as part of the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony sponsored by Freehold Center Partnership.
The annual tree lighting is a favorite of the community and draws hundreds of people each year. In addition to the display of lights, attendees hear performances by the Freehold Township High School Brass Band and the St. Rose Bell Choir.
Dignitaries and elected officials from Freehold and Monmouth County also attended. Members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders pulled the switch and illuminated the tree before Santa Claus came riding through the borough on a fire truck.
Dawn Matyi, a High Ridge Farm employee, said that the farm owns a total of 1,100 acres of White pine, Serbian spruce, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Colorado spruce and Montgomery spruce trees. She said the owners were happy to be part of the county’s holiday celebration.
“We thought we would do something nice for the county,” Matyi said. “It’s nice to give back to the community.”
Throughout December, Freehold Center Partnership has a number of other special events planned. In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, it hosts a menorah lighting Dec. 6, the Freehold Comcast Holiday Concert Dec. 7, Santa’s Train Ride Dec. 8, Breakfast With Santa Dec. 18 and a caroling hayride Dec. 21.