First Friday Toms River celebrates the Holidays

First Friday Toms River - Highlights and Specials for December 3, 2004

TOMS RIVER, NJ, Nov. 23- Holiday festivities will be the focus of the December installment of First Friday Toms River, Friday, Dec. 3 in the town’s central business district. The particularly merry afternoon and evening kicks off the holiday season by providing a variety of activities for families, couples, and individuals of all ages. Revelers can experience fun ranging from the annual Holiday Tree lighting near Town Hall, to holiday shopping specials, and to fun holiday characters and carolers throughout the area.

Family, friends, and the Holidays are the theme of the December First Friday! The Toms River Business Improvement District (TRBID) will be enhancing the event by producing the annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration, entertainment and a visit from Santa, as well as hosting holiday street performers such as Santa’s elves and toy soldiers. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. near the Ocean County Library and Town Hall on Washington St. The melodious sounds of the Monsignor Donovan High School Choir will delight the audience as they await Santa’s arrival. At 7:00 p.m. Santa will assist Dover Township Mayor Paul Brush in lighting the Holiday Tree.

Free Poinsettia plants will be given to the first 100 people who visit four designated locations in the central business district. Glow necklaces will also be provided to the first 300 fun seekers. Maps, details and schedules for First Friday activities will be available at the BID booth located on Washington St.

Participating businesses and non-profit organizations will be offering special activities and pricing from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Towards the west end of Water St., near the Garden State Parkway, Christmas & Beyond is showcasing the largest Dept. 56 Christmas village in Ocean County in addition to a visit from Santa, and a free gift with each purchase. The free “Poinsettia Passports” will be redeemed at their neighbors, Erickson’s Custom Framing & Art.

On Main St., The Loft is offering free refreshments along with Tarot card readings for $15. The readings begin at 5p.m. Nick Hargrove, world renowned Americana illustrator, will show his technique on a work-in-progress in his gallery, as well as offer a 10% discount on evening purchases and a free holiday mug. Get your holiday clothing shopping done early at Harris’ Clothing on Main St. and at the hip Philosophi on Washington St. Check out what it’s like to be a fireman at Toms River Fire Company #2 on Water St., or get your picture taken with Santa at Fire Company #1 on Robbins St.!

There is much more free activity to fill the evening. A schedule and map of the First Friday activities will be available at participating locations, and on the First Friday web page at www.DowntownTomsRiver.com. Parking will be FREE after 5:00 p.m., courtesy of the Dover Township Parking Authority.

The TRBID will be offering First Friday Toms River the first Friday of every month. “We are excited about celebrating the holidays with the community during First Friday in December,” explains Frank Capone, Chairman of the BID’s Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to sharing our festivities to people from throughout the area.” The next two First Fridays are scheduled for January 7 and February 4, 2005.

First Friday Toms River highlights and activity locations-
December 3rd , 2004

P] Denotes on-site parking

• Capone's Gourmet Pizza, 17 Washington St. ~ Toys for kids during dinner
• Christmas & Beyond, 320 W. Water St. [P] ~ Free Santa footprint stencil with purchase. Enjoy a visit from Santa from 5-8pm!
• Creative Journey’s School of Music & Art, 216 Main St. [P] ~ Paper poinsettias & cotton ball snowmen crafts. Free class drawing!
• Dover Twp. Fire Bureau, Library ~ Fire Education booth for kids and families 4-7 pm
• Erickson's Custom Framing & Art, 298 W. Water St. [P] ~ Free artist pencil to every child and Poinsettia Passport redemption center
• H. Hargrove Gallery, 43 Main St. ~ Free Holiday mug, 10% off purchase (eve. only) and Artist Demonstration
• Harris’ Clothing, 33 Main St. [P] ~ Special discounts throughout the store
• Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty, 4 Robbins Pkwy. ~ One free dessert per table with dinner purchase
• Java Joint, 17 Washington St. ~ Live entertainment from 6-8 pm
• John’s Riverside Florist, 8 Hyers St. ~ FREE hot apple cider with each visit
• Living Water Yoga, 40 Robbins St. ~ Come out of the cold! Free meditation & deep relaxation, 5:30 & 6:30 pm
• Modell’s Sporting Goods, 1 Rt. 37 East [P] ~ Hand and toe warmers for the cold weather!
• Ocean Co. Historical Soc., 26 Hadley Ave. [P] ~ Festive Holiday Open House 5-8 pm. Featuring music by Bonnie Leigh at 7pm
• Philosophi, 44 Washington St. ~ Holiday shopping specials!
• Pumpernickels Café, 69 Main St. ~ Kids' toy with each dinner purchase
• Simply Skin, 313 W. Water St. [P] ~ Complimentary hydrating paraffin hand treatments.
• Siperstein’s Paint & Decorating Ctr., 812 Main St. [P] ~ Take an additional 10% off evening purchase
• Slowly, 73 Main St. ~ Hostess providing personal invitations street-side
• The Loft, 218 Main St. [P] ~ Free coffee, cider & snacks - Tarot Card Readings $15, at 5pm. Brio Train table for kids!
• The Music Academy, 25 W. Water. St. [P] ~ Open House and free music
• Toms River Fire Company #1, 26 Robbins St. ~ Visit and photos with Santa from 5-8 pm
• Toms River Fire Company #2, 45 W. Water St. ~ Fire trucks and gear demonstrations & kids giveaways!
• TR Branch of the Ocean Co. Library, 101 Washington St. ~ Winter kid craft 3-5pm. “Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas” movie, 5pm.
• Village Florist, 55 Main St. ~ Free calendar & magnet upon visit from 3-6pm
• WJRZ Oldies 100, Washington St. by the library ~ Prize van, live music and door prizes
• Ocean Cty. Girl Scouts, Courtyard ~ Hot Cocoa & cookies fundraiser. Entertainment at 7pm