TOMS RIVER – It’s the most wonderful time of the year – as the song goes – and the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District made sure the holiday season kicked off in a special way.
This year an entire Winter Wonderland weekend was enjoyed around Washington Street and it began with the traditional Christmas Tree lighting that featured music, food, lights, the tree lighting itself and of course a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The night of the tree lighting brought out a large crowd and while it might have been a bit chilly outside, the winds stayed away. Among the many families who came out were the Decesares who came dressed for the occasion with winter coats and Santa caps and other holiday attire.
“I come out for this whenever I can,” township resident Vicky Decesare said.
Her sister Gina Crisitello, who lives in Ortley Beach was holding the family dog Valentino. Harly and Presley Decesare were there as well listening to the music and taking in the festive sights that featured a variety of vendors and musicians and awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.
A very familiar sight at this annual event were Shawn Michaels and Sue Moll who host the popular WOBM morning show. The radio station is located down the street so they didn’t have to travel very far.
Michaels wore his signature extended length Santa cap for the occasion and introduced the special guests who spoke from the side entrance to the Toms River Library.
“Winter just kicked right in for this,” he told The Toms River Times. “I’ve been on WOBM for 30 years now. I’ve been doing this event for a while, 10 years maybe? Last year was a monsoon we were inside in Mancini Hall in the library because of the rain.”
Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District Executive Director Melissa Fernandez was very happy to see the large turnout for the event and the respectable weather of the evening. She has been in charge of marketing and events for the township’s business improvement district since 2022. She was recently hired having replaced Mairin Bennett, who left the position to serve as executive director of Red Bank Rivercenter, the nonprofit that promotes downtown Red Bank.
“This year we have the Toms River South High School Choir sing and we have the Toms River Elks group The Young Amigos perform. We had some students from the Applaud Our Kids Foundation and a very talented woman who has performed with Exit 82, Kelly Anne Servodio and we have Donavan Catholic (High School) performing and following that we have Richard Cox reading “Twas’ the Night Before Christmas.” He has a great voice and he’s an educator from South Toms River Elementary School,” Fernandez said.
She added, “It is an exciting night. We are selling commemorative ornaments and we have Toms River Fire Company 1 selling hot chocolate and cookies and tomorrow we have Winter Wonderland on Washington Street. We closed the street and have over 60 vendors and have activities for the kids. It’s going to be a good day. We want to thank the Ocean County Library for once again allowing us to utilize Mancini Hall and the foyer tonight for this.”
Mayor Daniel Rodrick, joined by friends, family and members of the township council, welcomed everyone to the event and extended a very happy and healthy holiday season.
“This is a great tradition. We have a great turnout. The kids are excited to see Santa Claus and I’m excited to see Santa. Hopefully, I’ll get something nice in my stocking. There are some years that I get coal,” the mayor joked.
He noted the new manger scene display that was now present on Main Street. His daughter pushed the magic button that lit up this year’s Christmas Tree but a few moments before that, Santa Claus and his wife arrived from the North Pole having received a short ride via a Toms River Fire Company 1 fire truck. Free photos were offered up with Santa in the administration building plaza in Town Hall.
There was plenty to do during Winter Wonderland. There were vendors, activities for children, a hot chocolate station, holiday music and Santa Claus was spotted posing for photos in the Wellspring Church parking lot.
