“AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS ON THE AVE” IN DOWNTOWN VINELAND
“AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS ON THE AVE”: TWO-DAY YULETIDE EXTRAVAGANZA IN DOWNTOWN VINELAND DECEMBER 1-2
Organized by Main Street Vineland
South Jersey Glass/Door is the Major Sponsor
Christmas Characters, Music, Crafts, Carriage Rides, More
Ribbon-Cutting Featuring CBS 3 Television Personality Jim Donovan
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Come one, come all to An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave—downtown Vineland’s two-day Yuletide extravaganza of holiday cheer, to take place Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 2 on Landis Avenue—from the 500 block to East Avenue. In the event of inclement weather, activities scheduled for outside the LandisMarketplace will be taking place inside the LandisMarketplace.
This event, a throwback to Christmas times of old, is organized by Main Street Vineland, with major sponsorship by South Jersey Glass/ Door. It will take place on Friday, December 1 from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, December 2, from 12 to 7 p.m.
Turn the clock back to Christmas days of yesteryear—a weekend loaded with activities and opportunities to come to The Ave to enjoy great times and do holiday shopping. Enjoy live music, Yuletide characters and décor, food, carriage rides, fun with Santa Claus, fun and fellowship, and lots more—just like olden times, when the atmosphere seemed to be warmer and more inviting.
The proceedings will kick off on Friday, December 1, with the lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree and ribbon-cutting at City Hall, 740 E. Wood St., at 5 p.m., featuring CBS 3 Eyewitness News television personality Jim Donovan and Vineland High School Select Choir under the direction of Lori Cummings. George Perez will be on hand for a special presentation. Mayor Anthony Fanucci invites the community to join us as we kick off this weekend event with a special surprise of fireworks above City Hall
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and volunteers are being sought to help coordinate events and to play characters in the various events.
“Christmas has become so commercialized today that it is refreshing to take a step back to when times were simpler, the Yuletide experience was warmer and friendlier, and the spirit of the holiday filled the air,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. “We are filling the weekend with that trip back in time. This is also a great opportunity to make an extended visit to The Ave, take in the events we have in store for you and see all that our downtown has to offer to make your holiday celebration extra special.”
Event chairperson Josephine Spinelli sees this event as a golden opportunity for people to come together in the spirit of holiday joy and camaraderie. “We have been working hard on planning this event to make it one that people will remember and tell their children and grandchildren that this is the way Christmas celebrations used to be,” she said. “It is the kind of celebration that adds to the special character and warmth of a downtown. We want everyone to come out, enjoy, and make this Christmas extra special.”
“The event is also a chance to shop The Ave. You’ll help our local merchants and help yourself by getting some fine merchandise,” Swanson said. “We have merchants that have unique, locally-made items that could be just the thing for that special holiday gift.” Many unique vendors will be set up on Landis Avenue selling their seasonal goods at this weekend event.
The Spot, at 618 E. Landis Ave., has over 80 vendors with items for gift-giving and home-decorating. They will be open during the event on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are open seven days a week.
“We’re also encouraging our other downtown merchants and restaurants to stay open during this event. It’s an opportunity to shop local!!” Swanson said.
For more information on this and all Main Street Vineland events, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at www.TheAve.biz, or visit it on Facebook.
A listing to date events and activities for An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave follows. Unless otherwise noted, events will take place in front of or near the Landis MarketPlace, 631 E. Landis Ave.
Friday, December 1 (5:00-9:00 p.m.)
5:00 p.m.: Lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree and Ribbon-Cutting featuring CBS 3 Eyewitness News anchor Jim Donovan and Vineland High School Select Choir under the direction of Lori Cummings, George Perez, Fireworks (at City Hall, 740 E. Wood St.)
5:00-9:00 p.m.: Smokey The Bear/Bell herself
5:30-8:30 p.m.: Carriage Rides
6:00 p.m.: Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland Campus Jazz Band
(at Landis Theater)
6:00-9:00 p.m.: Photos with Santa (at Landis Theater)
6:00 -7:00 p.m.: Divine Mercy Choir Concert
7:00-8:00 pm Sweet Adelines International from Cape May County
8:00-8:30 p.m. Studio B Dancers
8:30-9:00 p.m. Dad/ Daughter (Stephanie Chiofalo) musical group
Vendors/ Food Trucks All Day
Fire Pits-All Day
Costumed Characters-All Day
(more)
An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave press release/add 2
Saturday, December 2 (12:00–7:00 pm)
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Live radio remote WVLT 92.1 FM (at The SPOT, 618 E. Landis Ave)
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Movie showing – Elf (at the Landis Theatre)
12:00 till 7:00 p.m. Pictures with Santa (at the Landis Theatre)
12:30-1:30 p.m. Elf Stroll, Cookies,/Juice, Crafts for kids (at the VDID Office, 603 E. Landis Ave.)
12:00-7:00 p.m. Children’s Scavenger Hunt all day long
12:00-1;00 p.m. St Nicholas Aurora Strolling Choir
12:00-2:00 p.m. Elf on the Shelf
12:00-3:00 p.m. Carriages Rides
12:00-3:00 p.m. Ice Craving
1:00-3:00 p.m. Smokey the Bear
1:00-7:00 p.m. DJ Tony Gambino (at The Spot, 618 E. Landis Ave.)
3:00-4:00 p.m. Children Song of NJ from Haddonfield, NJ (steps of the First United Methodist Church)
4:00-4:30 p.m. Dance Team from Studio B
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Daughter/ Dad with Stephanie Chiofalo musical group
5:30-6:30 p.m. Rowan College of South Jersey Jazz
Free Trolley Rides
Street Vendors
Fire Pits
Christmas Characters
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