Non-LED Christmas lights wanted for Beach Haven's holiday tree lighting

The 12th annual Christmas tree lighting at Veterans Bicentennial Park in Beach Haven is expected to be bigger and more glorious than ever before. To help decorate the area, Beach Haven borough, which has joined with the Beach Haven Community Arts Program to expand the festivities in the park, is asking residents to donate non-LED lights that are in working condition. Lights may be dropped off at the municipal clerk’s office at the Emergency Operations Center, located at 420 Pelham Ave.

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Other holiday events will take place
at the LBI Historical Museum.

“We really want to brighten it up and make it festive,” said Darcy Kolodziej, borough manager. “We want to go with the old-school feel of the non-LED lights. We want to keep with the olden feel of the holidays.”

This year’s events, set for Dec. 6 around 7 p.m., will offer the traditional festivities at the Long Beach Island Historical Museum, including a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and “some very spirited caroling.” Christmas music will also be provided once again by Lighthouse Brass. Santa Claus will arrive via a Beach Haven fire truck.

To help reach a larger audience, the museum events will also stream live on a large screen at the park. Electronic equipment is being supplied by the owners of POPularity, who also run a film studio in Manhattan.

“It’s a very, very energetic, fun event. However, the museum has limited capacity,” Kolodziej explained.

Other holiday events at the park will include pictures with Santa for children or pets, an ugly sweater contest, photo booth pictures with holiday props and ornament decorating for kids.

Refreshments will be served at the museum at the end of the evening.

“The borough of Beach Haven has always been very supportive of all of our Community Arts Programs, including the summer ‘Concerts on the Green,’ Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, and especially with our very special Christmas tree lighting,” said Rob Meyer, program coordinator of BHCAP. “We appreciate the assistance of the council persons, the public works department, the police department and area merchants. With all of their assistance we are able to produce a memorable opening to the holiday season.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.