And a good time was had by all!
Fair Haven’s tree lighting was a festive one on Friday night.
See for yourself. Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening.
Happy Holidays!
— Photos/Elaine Van Develde
Santa Comes to Fair Haven
Tag Archives: Santa
Looking Back at a Holiday Fest
These police officers have been seen around the towns donning their special Christmas suits.
No, they’re not any sort of Santas, but they sure are festive. They told us that they even special ordered the suits.
Do you know these guys?
Tradition: Rumson’s Toy Drive
By Elaine Van Develde
Santa Claus is coming to … the Rumson Department of Public Works.
That’s right. It’s that time of the year, on Friday and Saturday, when Rumson tradition takes hold and Santa, in the form of countless charitable elves, brings toys to the DPW garage on East River Road to bring a better Christmas to children in need.
But this is not just a toy drive. It’s an annual Rumson community tradition. It’s hosted by the DPW employees and the community as a whole, replete with holiday-appropriate hot chocolate, candy canes and yuletide company.
“It’s definitely turned into a big community event,” DPW organizer Mark Wellner said. “A lot of people stop down, bring the kids and socialize. We give the kids the candy canes and hot chocolate and there’s coffee for the adults. It’s really nice.”
Mayor John Ekdahl echoed the sentiment.
“The residents of Rumson are thrilled that the DPW department has for years taken upon themselves to run a Christmas toy drive,” the mayor said. “Different charities are chosen each year and the donated toys always find their way to the most needy children. The enthusiasm of the town is evident by the numbers of toys dropped off each year at the garages behind Borough Hall.”
This is the 15th year of the drive for which organizers usually set a goal of gathering at least 1,000 toys that will get funneled to the kids via Family & Children’s Services, Long Branch, and The Salvation Army, Red Bank.
And “this year we’re shooting for 1,200 or even more,” Wellner said. “We’re always trying to up that number and better ourselves to get more toys to the kids.”
Organizers ask that anyone wishing to donate bring a new, unwrapped gift to the DPW from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday and/or 9 a..m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Lighting Up Holiday Trees, Spirits in Rumson, Fair Haven
Both Rumson and Fair Haven had festive holiday celebrations replete with traditional tree lightings this past weekend.
While Fair Haven had to endure yet another soggy festivity, all went smoothly, we hear.
Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught the tail end of those festivities on Friday.
On a much chillier Sunday, however, spirits were warm at Rumson’s tree lighting, replete with the usual — Tim McLoone & the Shirleys sprinkled with some Holiday Express, the RFH Tower Singers, hot chocolate and a lot of dancing and singing.
Check it all out in the photo gallery above. Click on any photo to enlarge and click on the arrow to the left or right to scroll through. Enjoy!
Getting Festive with Rumson, Fair Haven Tree Lightings
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s time to haul out the community holiday spirit and get set for the Rumson-Fair Haven area kick-offs to the season of Santa and all the festivities that come to town with him.
First, on Friday evening, at 5:30 p.m., Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick will arrive via fire truck at Fair Haven’s Memorial Park on the corner of Fair Haven and River roads. After the initial greetings, Santa will pose for photos with children, according to a release from the Fair Haven Business Association.
The tree will be lit at 6 p.m. and there will be music, food and activities for the kids, the release added.
Throughout the lighting and Santa’s arrival, from 5 to 7 p.m., the release said, there will be a stroll through the River Road East business district during which businesses will be open and featuring a collaborative open house, a newer tradition in Fair Haven.
The business district will be open on Saturday and Sunday for shopping.
Then, in Rumson on Sunday the borough will hold it’s annual traditional tree lighting and festivities in Victory Park.
The event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature, as usual, the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Tower Singers, Deane-Porter’s third grade chorus and Tim McLoone & the Shirleys with members of Holiday Express.
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