TOMS RIVER – Elves, holiday music, hot apple cider and a brand new Christmas tree will be part of the festivities when Ocean County welcomes in the holidays at the official Ocean County Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
The lighting was originally scheduled for Dec. 5 but it was postponed following the announcement that Dec. 5 was being recognized as a National Day of Mouring in honor of our 41st President George H. W. Bush.
For the first time, the county’s new 28-foot Norway spruce at the corner of Hooper Avenue and Washington Street will greet the Christmas season with thousands of LED lights adorned on its branches.
“We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the season of giving and joy,” said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little.
Festivities will begin at 4:45 pm on the steps of the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, when the Silver Bay Elementary School Chorus performs a melody of holiday music.
At 5 pm, attention will turn to the nearby tree, which will be lit by Cecelia Grace Kelly and Juliana Faith Kelly.
The county planted the new tree last May to replace an aging and structurally weakening blue Spruce, which had stood at the corner for many years.
“This is the largest tree the county has ever planted and I’m happy to say it’s ready for the holidays,” Little said.
Following the ceremony, everyone is invited into the Administration Building lobby for hot and cold apple cider and Christmas cookies baked by the Ocean County Vocational-Technical Schools culinary arts students.