City, chamber tree lightings take place Friday & Saturday
Other holiday events continue throughout the city
The City of Asbury Park continues to light up the holiday season with two tree lighting ceremonies this weekend, along with a host of other holiday festivities happening through the week.
Tonight, the city will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in Fireman’s Park at Main Street and Sunset Avenue.
Tomorrow evening, the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Press Plaza, at the corner of Cookman Avenue and Emory Street. Santa himself will light the 30 foot tall tree.
Live music and performances from the Premier Theatre Company’s cast of “Scrooge: The Holiday Musical for Everyone” and Christmas carols sung by children from Alphabets Pre School will also take place at the lighting.
Both ceremonies will happen despite forecasts of inclement weather.
The chamber is sponsoring several holiday activities throughout the weekend, starting tomorrow afternoon.
Hot Cocoa with Santa and Frosty the Snowman will be held Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at DJ’s Delights on Mattison Avenue. DJ’s is located at 620 Mattison Ave.
An Ugly Dog Sweater Contest will be held after the tree lighting. Dogs donning garish sweaters will be judged by representatives from the chamber and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [MCSPCA]. The top three winners will receive prize packages from the MCSPCA. Dogs are welcome to take pictures with Santa before and after the contest. In addition to assisting with the Ugly Dog Sweater Contest, the MCSPCA will have dogs available for adoption at the tree lighting.
The chamber will also begin to hang pieces of artwork created by children in the school district within local shops downtown starting Saturday.
“Bring your family, bring your dogs and spread the cheer all over Asbury Park,” said Jackie Pappas, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Also on Saturday, the Winter Bazaar in the Convention Hall’s Grand Arcade takes place from noon to 5 p.m. The one-day-only pop-up gift market will see over 35 local vendors and existing businesses in the Arcade will offering unique holiday gifts. Live music will be provided by The Jazz Gypsys.
During the Bazaar, holiday shoppers will be afforded the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with Santa Claus in the Grand Arcade from noon to 4 p.m. in exchange for a toy or coat to benefit the Asbury Park Toy Drive. Photos will be made available in hardcopy and digital form. Photo ops with Santa also take place on Dec. 14 and 21 from noon to 2 p.m. Donation boxes for the drive will also be in place all month long in the Grand Arcade.
A Kwanzaa Celebration also takes place on Saturday at the Asbury Park Senior Center staring at 2 p.m. The center is located at 1201 Springwood Ave.
The Premier Theatre Company begins their run of “Scrooge: The Holiday Musical for Everyone” in the Paramount Theatre Saturday at 7 p.m. Additional performances take place Dec. 8, 14 and 15. Visit premiertheatre.com for tickets and times.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11 the chamber will also host its annual holiday party. This year’s celebration happens at the Asbury Park Transportation Center. For more information or to RSVP, call 732-775-7676.
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