Locals can shop from local vendors, enjoy a carriage ride and visit with Santa and friends at historic Smithville Park in Eastampton.
Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio has announced that the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders will once again be hosting the annual Victorian Holiday Celebration at Historic Smithville Park.
The event will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon through 4 p.m. and will feature a visit from Santa Claus and other holiday favorites, local vendors, carriage rides, live entertainment and much more. Admission and parking are free.
“Families are invited to celebrate the season in Smithville’s historic village setting that will be specially decorated for the holidays,” Garganio said. “St. Nick will kick things off when he arrives by horse and carriage at 1 p.m. joining him will also be Olaf and the Grinch, make sure to bring your camera for that special Santa memory.”
Garganio said kids can also join Mrs. Claus to listen to her stories about Santa and help make reindeer food, and there will also be s’mores for the kids, face painting, train rides and other holiday crafts.
Other holiday entertainment will include live music by Golden Eagle Community Band Brass Ensemble on the Gardener’s Cottage Porch, the Golden Eagle Community Band Harp and Flute Demo in the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery, the Pine Barons Chorus, and South Jersey Chorus of Sweet Adeline’s.
“There will also be ice carving demonstrations, strolling performers and carriage rides from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” Garganio said. “Don’t miss Dasher’s trivia blizzard game show at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. listen to try and answer a snowstorm of seasonal questions.”
Visitors will also be able to shop for the holidays from a variety of local vendors selling unique items and seasonal crafts.
Once again, the mansion will be dressed for the season in dazzling Victorian style and The Friends of the Mansion at Smithville will be offering tours.
“There will also be free Candlelight Tours of Smithville Village throughout December,” Garganio said. “Visitors will get to tour Smithville Village and learn about its history in the 1800s. Tours are from 6 p.m. to 9.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 27, and 30.”
Visitors are encouraged to bring new unwrapped gifts to the event to donate to the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive.
The Victorian Holiday Celebration is being hosted by the Division of Parks in collaboration with the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville. Historic Smithville Park is located at 803 Smithville Road, just three-quarters of a mile off Route 38 in Eastampton. For more information, call the Division of Parks at (609) 265–5858, or visit www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks.
