Nov. 24 will be the day Mullica Hill officially starts celebrating Christmas with their annual Lights on Main festival.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Main Street in Mullica Hill will soon be shut down and filled with holiday cheer as the streetscape is decorated for the holiday season beginning with the town’s biggest celebration: Lights on Main on Nov. 24 starting at 5 p.m.
The event is the town’s biggest celebration and has earned bragging rights from the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce as being one of the best in the county. Sharron Chew of the Harrison Township Recreation Commission said the township began planning for the event between the end of August and early September, which includes some new additions.
“New this year, [Santa Claus] will be at the North Pole, Santa’s Workshop (34 N. Main St.) with Mrs. Claus from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for pictures,” said Chew. “Also this year, we’ve extended the picture time for the Elf on the Shelf (46 N. Main St., Nancy Kowalik Real Estate Group).”
Main Street, she added, will be completely shut down from Woodland Avenue to Folwell Lane from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. to accommodate for set up and breakdown. Multiple shuttle buses will transport attendees from parking lots to either end of the festival. A section of Route 322 and the by-pass and the intersection of Route 77 and Commissioner Road will have a brief shutdown to allow for residents and handicapped accessible vehicles to relocate.
The township’s four schools will also perform during the event. Chew added the entertainment is sponsored by Inspira Health Network.
“The stage opens at 6 p.m. and it runs until 8:30 p.m. After opening of the stage, the first act is the [Clearview Regional] Middle School ensemble choir,” said Julie DeLaurentis, Harrison Township committeewoman. “Later on in the evening, the Clearview dance team is performing.”
Harrison Township School District Superintendent Margaret “Missy” Peretti will be presenting awards to winners of the district’s snowflake and essay contest for grades kindergarten through sixth.
Following Peretti’s awards, the township will light its Christmas tree at Old Town Hall promptly at 7:15 p.m.
“It’s a wonderful day for the businesses on Small Business Saturday, and they come in and shop early, and then stay for the Lights on Main,” Chew added. “The local restaurants have specials on that day and lot of people stay and eat at the restaurants.”
Pets are welcome to attend the event, but owners are reminded to pick up after them.
Other events are occurring around the area to celebrate the holiday season:
Creamy Acres is transforming its dairy farm into a family-friendly Christmas Wonderland hayride with festive light displays, a Musical Dancing Tree light show, all with the sounds of the season playing in the background. The hayride is open every Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 15, and daily from Dec. 17 to 22. Tickets are available to purchase online and at the door for $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older and $10 for children 3 to 12. Visit www.NightofLightsHayride.com for more information.
At Clearview Regional Middle School, the school’s band is hosting a holiday craft show on Dec. 1 complete with vendors and crafters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the event of a snow storm, the craft show will be moved to Dec. 2. Visit www.ViewBand.org/Craft-Show for more information.
Mantua Township is hosting a Winter Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Chestnut Branch Park on Dec. 1 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free to attend and will include fireworks, food trucks (cash needed), music, rides and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Visit www.MantuaTownship.com for more information. A rain date is set for Dec. 2, same start time.
If you want to seek out inspiration for next year’s decorations, the Mullica Hill Business Association is hosting its 45th annual Christmas House Lights Tour on Dec. 8 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for people to walk through historic homes along Main Street. Tickets can be purchased now at www.MullicaHill.com for $10, and the day of for $12. Bonfires will be set up as well as spots to drink hot chocolate.
Also on Dec. 8, the Richwood United Methodist Church is hosting a Cookie Bake Sale and Christmas Shop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can pick their own cookies from a variety of homemade creations. A one-pound covered box costs $12. Pre-packaged boxes are available until supplies last. Visit www.RichwoodChurch.org for more information.
Editor’s note: If you have a holiday event you’d like to see included in The Mullica Hill Sun, send an email to News@MullicaHillSun.com at least two weeks in advance with the details including location, time, cost and age limit (if necessary).
