Jefferson plans annual tree lighting

LAKE HOPATCONG — The holiday season is quickly approaching, and the Jefferson Township Recreation Department is busy preparing the way for festivities to usher in the holiday season. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Township Gazebo, which is located in the Municipal Complex at 1033 Weldon Road.

D.J. Matt will play some holiday music until the Jefferson Township Middle School Chorus under the direction of Danielle Schreck performs “Sweet Singing in the Choir” and will lead a holiday sing-a-long. Soon after, Mayor Russ Felter’s 2015 Citizens of the Year Kathy Damerel and James Perrier are expected to throw the light switch to light up the gazebo and all the trees in the municipal complex.

Following that, the children will gather around to listen to a reading of the holiday classic “The Night Before Christmas” by Jefferson Township Council President Richard Yocum as they eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus.

When the time is right, Santa will enter the complex on his sleigh via a decorated Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 fire truck. The man in the red suit will visit with the children and hand out candy canes, and his sidekick Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is expected to join him. Complimentary refreshments will be available in the Municipal Building’s Lobby following the event.

Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item, paper product, household cleaning product, and/or toiletry items to donate to the township’s three food pantries to help the needy in the community.

This Tree Lighting event will also usher in the Jefferson Arts Committee’s Christmas in the Village weekend of events. For further information call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 ext 4 or 5 or visit www.jeffersontownship.net.

Christmas in the Village information can be found at www.jeffersonarts.org or by calling 973-697-3828.