Borough lights up the night, welcomes Santa, encourages residents to run for charity and more
The holiday season is upon us. For the next six weeks, residents of the borough will open up their homes to friends and relatives, give thanks for all the good in life and prepare traditional, comforting foods. Laughter, music, lights and a festive spirit will be shared in homes and on the streets.
There will be no shortage of events throughout the borough to work off those calories, add some holiday cheer and make a dent through your loved one’s gift list.
As an added enticement, public parking will be free in the downtown area from Thanksgiving through Christmas Day.
Turkey Trot and Fun Run
Before you indulge in turkey, stuffing and all the delicious sides and desserts around your table, come and put in a workout during the inaugural Haddons Pre-Game Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22 in Crows Woods. The run is timed and a turkey will be awarded to the overall winner. Pre-race packet pick-up and registration will take place on Nov. 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Haddonfield Running Company, 121 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield. Race day registration will occur at Crows Woods immediately prior to the start of the race.
Age group winners will receive fresh baked pies. All proceeds go to the Food Bank of South Jersey and Kids Alley. Cider, donuts and good cheer will be served up at the field house once the course is complete. The event is organized by Teams Work for Good, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization based in Haddonfield. For more information, visit www.teamsworkforgood.com/.
Tree Lighting and Santa Parade
Haddonfield’s holiday season begins in earnest on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, with the borough’s traditional tree lighting ceremony. Following presentations by distinguished guests, along with the Haddonfield High School singers and marching band, Santa Claus leads hundreds of excited kids into town for their first encounter with Jolly Old Saint Nick.
The lighting is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Library Point. Formal ceremonies will be held at the entrance to the library. The rain date is the next evening, Saturday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
“The Christmas tree lighting ceremony has been a part of the community for many years. I started chairing the event in 2004, and Gerry Nanos did prior to me. The mayor offers a Christmas message to the community, the high school choir performs a couple of holiday songs. Following the mayor’s lead, we participate in the countdown and light the tree,” said Ken Tomlinson from the Haddonfield Celebrations Association.
Canned goods and financial donations are collected for local charities serving the needy. Once the stately tree has been illuminated, Santa arrives, usually via fire truck. He encourages all attendees to follow him into the downtown core along Tanner Street and Kings Highway, and then to the gazebo in Kings Court, where children can visit with him. So that everyone can participate in the holiday spirit, there are additional displays at Library Point including a nativity scene and a Hanukkah menorah.
Small Business Weekend
Small Business Weekend, which will happen from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 25, is dedicated to supporting small businesses during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Haddonfield invites everyone who visits its downtown shopping area to “shop small” at their favorite borough-based store or restaurant.
Merchants will be going all out to make this shopping experience extra special with incentives, trunk shows and other promotions. On Nov. 23, stores in downtown Haddonfield kick off their holiday candlelight shopping, which will occur from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Dec. 21.
The Haddon Fortnightly’s Snowflake Run
Get your holiday season off to a festive start with the Haddonfield Snowflake Run, presented by The Haddon Fortnightly Evening Membership Department. The race takes place on Saturday, Dec. 1, and will start at 9 a.m. at Crows Woods. It is a certified 5K course and refreshments will be provided after the race. Costumes are encouraged but not required. To register, go to dqevents.com, select races, scroll to Dec. 1 and click on Haddonfield Snowflake Run.
The Snowflake Run will benefit the Kingsway Learning Center’s adult program and other local and national charities. Kingsway’s adult program aims to be the most comprehensive and effective provider of services to adults over the age of 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Local charities that will benefit include The Haddonfield Ambulance Fund, Fire Company, Celebrations Association, Interfaith Caregivers and the Haddonfield Memorial High School PTA. Other charities that will benefit include Heifer International, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Triad House, National MS Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Embrace Kids Foundation and many more.
Haddonfield Menorah Lighting
Chabad of Camden County invites the public to witness its Menorah lighting, which will take place at Library Point on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The location adds an extra note of solemnity to the Festival of Lights, as it was the gathering place, on Oct. 29, for a vigil condemning the mass shooting inside a Pittsburgh synagogue two days prior.
A Christmas Story
Haddonfield’s Plays and Players will be firmly in the holiday spirit as they stage Jean Shepherd’s classic tale, “A Christmas Story,” from Dec. 6–22. Adapted for the stage by Philip Grecian, it marks the journey of a young boy named Ralphie Parker, who only wants one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun. However, he might not make it to Christmas, between having to care for his younger brother Randy, and dealing with the threats of school bully Scut Farkus.
To purchase tickets and for showtimes and dates, visit www.haddonfieldplayers.com/shows/2018/05_AChristmasStory.php.
Haddonfield House Tour
Interfaith Caregivers is set to hold its annual Haddonfield House Tour on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then again from 5 to 9 p.m. Each of the six Haddonfield homes and Christ the King Church will be festively decorated for the holidays for all to see. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of event (valid for both sessions).
To purchase tickets, cash, check or credit cards will be accepted at Interfaith Caregivers office, behind Haddonfield Borough Hall, 242 Kings Highway East. Cash or check will also be accepted at the following Haddonfield locations: The Haddonfield Information Center, 2 Kings Court, or Haddonfield Library, 600 N. Haddon Ave.
Have a holiday event you’d like to see in The Sun? Email [email protected].
