TOMS RIVER – The yuletide season returned to the township with the community’s annual tree lighting which featured fun, food, music and a visit from the Kringles.
Live entertainment included a variety of musical performances culminating with the illumination of the large tree in front of Town Hall on Washington Street and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. They traded in a sleigh for a Toms River Fire Co. # 1 fire truck. The Kringle couple helped light the tree and had their photos taken with children.
The evening kicked off with a performance by members of the Donovan Catholic Chorus at 5 p.m. followed by Applaud Our Kids. A presentation by members of the Exit 82 Theater based in Toms River’s downtown area could not take place but there was plenty to do and the crowd was large.
Several holiday tunes were heard by members of the Toms River High School South Choir.
While not an exceptionally chilly evening, nor windy, having a hot beverage in hand was part of the festive feel of the event coordinated by Downtown Toms River. Members of the Toms River Fire Co # 1 Auxiliary came out to serve up some sweets and cocoa with the option of having it topped off with whip cream. Usually, the hot chocolate is served up inside the Toms River Library lobby but for the last two years, everything was moved outside with other vendors.
“I don’t know how many cups of hot chocolate we’ll be handing out,” Audra Zammit said.
“We have a lot. I would say over a hundred,” said Dana Simone, whose husband is the incoming fire chief.
“We’ve already done close to 50,” Zammit said early in the evening. “This is the first night of my volunteering and we are here with a couple members of the fire department.
“My husband is been with the fire company for over 20 years so I’ve come out for this for a while,” Simone said.
Adults and children weren’t the only ones enjoying the two-hour event. There were plenty of dogs in the courtyard accompanied by their owners. Some were wearing some festive attire for the occasion.
Crystal DeCaro brought along her dog Aurora, a nine year old pit bull/beagle. “This is a tradition. Aurora was a rescue. She is dressed very festive as well. We love to come here and support our town. It is beautiful.”
WOBM FM’s own Shawn Michaels and Sue Moll were both wearing Santa hats and scarves and enjoying the activities. They served as emcees for the evening and introduced the various performers. This is a tradition for them as well.
Toms River High School North Advanced Placement Literature teacher did a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” which set the scene for Santa and Mrs. Claus’s arrival. Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill and members of the Township Council joined family members to welcome everyone and to greet the Kringles before the lighting of the tree.
“What a difference a year makes,” the mayor said adding thanks to those responsible for setting up the event and those who decorated all the lights on the large tree in the courtyard.
“I’d like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I hope everyone has been good so that you won’t be on the naughty list and you get a lot of toys for Christmas,” the mayor added.
“When the big guy gets here we’ll light the tree,” Mayor Hill said. With that sad the sounds of the fire truck siren was heard as the big red truck pulled up in front of the library on Washington Street.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were escorted to the steps of the library entranceway by the courtyard to join the mayor and members of the township governing body.
“Ho, ho, ho! We’re ready to count down, is everyone ready to count down with us?” the crimson clad Kris Kringle said. Cheers followed and counting backward from 10 to 1, the crowd roared as the big tree brightened up the courtyard as well as a lot of spirits.
The evening wasn’t quite over because Santa and Mrs. Claus found their way over to Town Hall which just happened to have a Christmas tree and some chairs inside where children could stop by and share their wish list.
