BARNEGAT – The magic of the season came alive in Barnegat as 425 residents climbed aboard the inaugural Barnegat Express for a trolley ride through some of the town’s most dazzling holiday light displays. Inspired by the beloved Polar Express, the event offered families a unique way to experience the festive spirit together – minus the trip to the North Pole.
The Barnegat Express rolled through 17 runs along a set route off Barnegat Boulevard, bringing joy to participants of all ages. But the fun didn’t stop there – after the trolley ride, residents continued their celebration at the Recreation Center, where the community came together for even more holiday cheer and activities.
Locals Mike Barbagallo, Mark Stanton and Barnegat High School teacher Dave Simler added charm and authenticity to the trolley rides as conductors, ensuring that every passenger experienced the magic of the Barnegat Express. For one family, the presence of a particular conductor made the event even more exceptional.
Courtney and Christopher Stanton, who brought their children in pajamas – aged seven, four, and one – were excited to recreate the magic of a Polar Express ride right in their own town.
“We were planning on taking them to North Jersey for a Polar Express ride, but when we found out the Barnegat Express was happening locally, we knew we had to be a part of it,” Courtney said. “It was the first time the kids were ever on a trolley.”
It was only after she’d finalized the plans for the family’s trolley ride that Courtney discovered her father-in-law, Mark Stanton, would be one of the conductors. “It made the experience even more memorable for the kids,” she shared. “Having their grandfather involved just made it extra special.”
Behind The Magic
The Barnegat Express wasn’t just about trolleys and twinkling lights – it was a solution to a challenge. The Recreation Department wanted to bring more attention to the intricate holiday train displays in their headquarters. For the third year in a row, two Barnegat families, the Deemers and the Politos have shared their personal train collections.
As the team brainstormed, an idea began to take shape. It started with the concept of taking in local sights and blossomed.
“Meredith (Jackstadt) was insistent that we have trolleys,” said Recreation Department staffer Stacey Fahringer of her co-worker. “I was kicking around the idea of school buses, but she was right – trolleys made it magical. It really does take a village to make something like this happen.”
Their teamwork paid off. The demand for the Barnegat Express was overwhelming. Tickets for the first trolley sold out in just 28 minutes when they became available on October 7. Realizing the excitement, the Recreation Department quickly secured a second trolley. Their waiting list still had more.
The Recreation Center itself buzzed with holiday cheer. Not only did everyone have an opportunity to visit the train display, but stations of fun also ranged from hot chocolate and cookies to craft projects and writing letters to Santa. Representatives of Barnegat High School’s Class of 2025 volunteered their time to help with the festivities.
Sarah Baart, a Barnegat resident and speech therapist at Donahue School, brought her twin 10-year-old sons and five-year-old daughter to experience the Barnegat Express. Not only did her children thoroughly enjoy the ride, but Baart also heard rave reviews from her students the following day. She also praised the high school volunteers, who played a crucial role in making the event a success.
“The high school students were wonderful, helping with everything from handing out hot chocolate to assisting with the photo booth,” she added. “They made it so parents could be part of the pictures.”
Local businesses and organizations also contributed to the event’s success. Sponsors included Bruno Associates, Dasti & Staiger, Mrs. Airfield Lighting & Supplies LLC, Ocean Pediatric Dental Association, Phoenix Advisors LLC, Rotary Club of Barnegat, T&M, Taylor Design Group, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 232, The Van Dyk Group, Debra H. Rumpf, and Brian E. Rumpf.
A New Vision
“It’s nice to see that all kinds of things are coming back, and for us to be able to bring our kids to some of these events,” said Courtney “My husband and daughter have done the daddy daughter dance a couple times, and my son and I did the sneaker ball.”
Courtney and Christopher, both lifelong Barnegat residents, recalled a time when the town offered a wide variety of programs. Many of these activities were canceled during the pandemic, leaving a noticeable gap in community events.
However, Recreation Director Jeanne Broadbent said the department has taken on a different vision and one that already has caught fire.
“There are 25,000 residents in Barnegat,” Broadbent said. “If we hold individual age programs for something like music or art classes, we’re limited to the number of people we can take. We need to do more.”
The Barnegat Express is just one example of the Recreation Department’s evolving focus on family-centered programming. Broadbent explained that a survey conducted by Barnegat Communities That Care (CTC) revealed a need for more family-oriented activities to strengthen community bonds and reduce youth risk factors.
“The survey showed a low attachment to family and community,” Broadbent said. “Our goal is to create opportunities for families to spend quality time together and build stronger connections.”
Children have also had the chance to engage in hands-on experiences with local heroes, including sharing ice cream with Barnegat’s police officers, exploring an ambulance, and even spraying water from a fire hose. These interactive activities have become a hit, allowing kids to connect with first responders in a fun and memorable way.
This renewed focus has led to a variety of innovative events, including Grinch Bingo, which drew 144 participants, and the upcoming Mad Hatter Tea for grandparents and grandchildren scheduled for February 8.
“I have to give credit to both Stacey and Meredith for their creativity and vision,” said Broadbent. “They also have a lot of connections and have the ability to get others to come in and get involved.”
Looking ahead, the Recreation Department plans to continue offering affordable, family-friendly events that foster community pride and engagement. They also plan to continue partnerships with local schools and community groups.
The Daddy-Daughter Dance featured volunteers from the Barnegat High School Dance Team, while the Sneaker Ball saw the involvement of the high school wrestling team. Both groups, along with the Class of 2025 students who assisted with the Barnegat Express, earned donations for their fundraising accounts in recognition of their hard work and dedication to community events.
“This is just the beginning,” Broadbent added. “We want every Barnegat resident to feel a sense of belonging and joy in their town.”
