Throughout the pandemic, Tabernacle residents have seen many annual events canceled. But Recreation Committee Chairman Mark LeMire is not giving up.
While the usual Memorial Day parade was off, LeMire and the committee brought the event to the people by partnering with EMS to do a drive-by.
“I never saw so many people so happy,” LeMire remembered. “It was really a great moment to have that kind of appreciation and hundreds of people that came out to this to watch us go by.”
Now, he’s trying to bring that magic to the township’s holiday events by redesigning them to be socially distanced. Any other year, residents would gather for a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, complete with refreshments and a visit from Santa. In 2020, that kind of community gathering isn’t possible.
“It’s a little bit tougher in today’s times as you can imagine,” LeMire said. “I got a lot of pushback. A lot of people want to see it.”
Now, the township’s tree will still stand in front of town hall, but the lighting will be, as LeMire puts it, a “non-event.” Yet during the holiday season, Tabernacle residents will be able to enjoy light shows their neighbors create with a home-decorating competition.
After the contest was announced on Nov. 30, the township had received at least 15 submissions. LeMire encourages residents to go all out with decorations this year, be it “huge, tasteful, small, over the top or seen from space.”
The decorating contest is open to all residents and businesses and will include a map of participating homes so neighbors can see the displays for themselves. The categories haven’t been decided yet, but judging will take place on Dec. 16, with winners announced before Christmas.
LeMire is also determined to find a way to have Santa come to town this year, but has faced obstacles from residents and committee members concerned about traffic and safety.
“I sit there and say, well this is no different than COVID testing, where you’re driving in or food pantries or your dropoff at school,” LeMire noted. “I’m not really sure what the issue is.”
The recreation committee has discussed doing a drive-thru where families could visit with Santa while in their cars. But after resistance from safety officials, the committee now has to submit plans for the event to the county for approval — a tight deadline with Christmas several weeks away.
“People are craving something,” LeMire said. “We don’t have a downtown like Medford, so finding ways to bring the community together is really critical.”
