Decorations have gone up at Barclay Farmstead. Soon, a Hanukkah menorah and Christmas tree will also be erected at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and there are a slew of holiday events taking place in Cherry Hill this year.
Holiday House
An old holiday tradition will kick off the season, as Holiday House 2014 will open at Barclay Farmstead on Friday, Nov. 21. The house will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 and noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23.
Volunteers and members of Friends of Barclay Farmstead decorated the house last week. The theme for this year’s event is blue and white, two popular colors in the colonial era.
“All of the décor is going to blue and white and (Friends) focuses on the colonial aspect,” Cherry Hill director of communications Bridget Palmer said.
Vendors and crafters will be on hand to sell their goods. The event will also include raffles.
The event is free to attend, but a $2 donation at the door is appreciated. All donations go toward Friends and programs at Barclay Farmstead. For more information, call (856) 795–6225 or email FarmsteadPrograms@yahoo.com.
Holiday lighting ceremony
One of the township’s largest holiday events remains the lighting ceremony. This year’s event is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Carmen Tilelli Community Center on Mercer Street.
Mayor Chuck Cahn and members of council will be on hand to light the township’s Hanukkah menorah and Christmas tree to celebrate the holidays. Youth choirs from across the township will also perform.
Light refreshments will be available for all ages. The event is free and open to all township residents.
Senior Holiday Party
Cherry Hill is celebrating the 40th year of its Senior Holiday Party. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Route 70.
The event is one of the largest of the year geared toward the township’s seniors.
“We serve lunch, there’s live entertainment, prizes and dancing,” Palmer said. “It’s a nice holiday event for the senior residents.”
Guests will have a lunch featuring either grilled chicken or grilled salmon. There will also be live music and a cash bar.
Tickets for residents with a gold card are $15 per person. Seniors without a gold card can attend for $20. For more information, call (856) 488–7868 or email Events@CHTownship.com.
Cherry Hill school concerts
Cherry Hill Public Schools will ring in the holiday season with a series of concerts during December.
Beck and Carusi middle schools will come together for a choir concert on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Rosa International Middle School will have a chorus concert on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and a band and orchestra concert on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
Cherry Hill East will have its instrumental concert on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Its choral concert will take place on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Cherry Hill West’s instrumental concert will be on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. Its choral concert is on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.
All the middle school and Cherry Hill West’s concerts will take place at the Cherry Hill West New Auditorium. Cherry Hill East’s concerts will be at the Cherry Hill East auditorium. All are free to attend.
Holidays at the Cherry Hill Public Library
The library is hosting a series of fun holiday events for kids of all ages in December. The fun kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 6 when children will have the chance to create a holiday card for a loved one. They will also learn how to address the envelope and stick the stamp so it’s ready for the mail.
Teens will be invited to a Harry Potter Yule Ball on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. Dress robes and costumes are encouraged.
American Girl fans can come out to the library’s American Girl Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Come see American history brought to life in the form of crafts, snacks and games.
After the holidays are over, the library is ready to help those who received a new digital device figure out how to use their new toy. Tablets and e-readers will be available and librarians will answer any questions.
Toddlers can ring in the New Year at noon on Dec. 31 with a special Toddler Dance Party. Toddlers and their caregivers dance along to kid-friendly tunes as they celebrate the New Year at noon.
