Event taking place for more than 20 years
By Amy Batista, Special Writer
JAMESBURG — The community united despite rainy weather for its annual holiday extravaganza last Friday in Veterans Park.
"The tree lighting has been going on for over 20 years," said Mayor Marlene Lowande. "We try to make it different every year. Last year we had a DJ this year we had the kids sing."
The event kicked off with students caroling in front of the Veterans Memorial followed by a visit from Santa, who arrived by fire truck to help light the tree.
The event concluded with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt.
Refreshments, including hot chocolate and popcorn, were provided by the Department of Public Works.
"The scavenger hunt mainly is to collect food for Deacon’s Pantry at the Presbyterian Church," Mayor Lowande said. "What you do is you get your list, you go home, put your items together, there’s a lot of creative thinking and they bring it back to the Jamesburg Elks by 9 p.m."
Based on the number of items you’ve collected you will get a total amount and then you get a prized, she said.
She said the kids have a real good time participating in the hunt.
"It’ fun," she said. "We get boxes of food for the pantry so you give back and you are helping other people."
It was estimated that around 200 people attended the celebration, according to officials.
"Considering the weather, this was a huge crowd," she said.
For her, the highlight of the evening was the kids singing.
"The kids use to do it years ago when they had the band at school and the new music teacher offered to have the kids come and sing," she said. "I just thought that was amazing."
Kristiann Vogler, the new music teacher in the Jamesburg Public School District, participated with the students in organizing them to carol for the event.
She said that the principals of the schools were approached by the Borough Council and asked to participate.
"I put a bunch of songs together that I thought the kids would enjoy singing," said Ms. Volger, adding such carols included "Rudolph," "Jingle Bells" and "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree."
She said the kids had practice Wednesday and Friday of this week.
Around 60 students in second through fifth grade participated and sang 11 carols, she added.
For her, the highlight was seeing how excited the kids were to come out and engage in the community in a different way than they are normally used to doing.
"It’s a great community and we all come together for these things and we support our kids and we all work together and this is what happens, magic," Mayor Lowande said. "It’s just a great night."