Jefferson plans tree lighting

OAK RIDGE — 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 night, Dec. 1, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Township Gazebo, which is located in the Municipal Complex at 1033 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong.
DJ Matt will be playing some holiday music until the Jefferson Township Middle School Chorus under the direction of Danielle Schreck performs “Sweet Singing in the Choir” and leads a holiday sing-a-long. Soon after, James M. Leach, Mayor Felter’s 2017 Citizen of the Year and the Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is expected to throw the light switch to light up the gazebo and all the trees in the municipal complex.
Following that, the children will be gathered around Jefferson Township Council President Debi Merz to listen to a reading of the holiday classic “The Night Before Christmas” 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 be joining him. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies provided by Casa Bianca Banquets and Catering 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 item to donate to the township’s three food pantries to help the needy in the community.
This tree lighting and Santa’s arrival in Jefferson Township event also will usher in the Jefferson Township Recreation Department’s Visit with Santa at Camp Jefferson on Saturday, December 2.
For further information call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 ext 4 or 5 or visit www.jeffersontownship.net or Jefferson Township on Facebook.
The Jefferson Arts Committee Christmas in the Village’s weekend of events will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, with some additional events on Sunday as well. Information can be found at www.jeffersonarts.org, Jefferson Arts Committee on Facebook, www.TheJeffersonChronicle.com, www.MyLakeNews.com, or by calling 973-697-3828.