Toms River, NJ…. Celebrate the Christmas season in Downtown Toms River! Bring your family to a Downtown holiday tradition - the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree on Friday, December 2nd from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Courtyard on Washington Street. The evening will be fun for the whole family, with live musical entertainment, balloon artistry and more to help get you into the Christmas spirit. The new Traco Theatre, located at 16 Washington Street, will kick things off with a FREE showing of children’s Christmas movies from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

Radio station Magic 100.1 will host the outdoor festivities beginning at 6:00 p.m. with music from The Bill & Ron Show, followed by the musical talents of Monsignor Donovan High School Chorus and then The Music Academy. A costumed balloon artist will also be on hand to entertain the kids. Santa Claus will make his entrance at 7:30 pm, right after Mrs. Claus finishes reading “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Santa will be available for pictures with the little ones and his elves will be giving out candy canes. Warm up with some hot chocolate and cookies, which will be available to purchase during the event. Proceeds of the hot chocolate and cookie sale will benefit Toms River Fire Company #1.

Another fun way to enjoy the holiday season in Downtown Toms River is the 14th Annual Jingle Bells 5K Run on Sunday, December 11th.  The race winds 3.1 miles through beautiful, historic Downtown Toms River and the sound of bells jingling can be heard as the runners come by wearing small bells. The race is presented by the Toms River Rotary Club; post race features a pasta party for runners at Capone’s on Washington Street. Proceeds will fund scholarships for local high school students, with a special law enforcement scholarship awarded in memory of Detective Mark Catalano, #187, of the Toms River Police Department.  For more information and to register, visit www.jinglebellsrun.com.

Downtown Toms River also sponsors a Downtown Home & Business Decorating Contest. Home and business owners within the Downtown area are encouraged to decorate their exteriors with holiday displays and enter the contest. Judging will take place on December 14th at 5:00 pm and winners in the two categories will be announced shortly afterwards and photos posted on the website. For more information visit www.downtowntomsriver.com.

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting is presented by Downtown Toms River and is sponsored by Comcast, New Jersey Natural Gas, United Water Toms River, Honda of Toms River, Stop N Shop, Extra Space Storage, radio stations Magic 100.1 WJRZ, the WRAT and The Music Academy. For more information about Downtown Toms River and their calendar of events, visit www.downtowntomsriver.com or call 732-341-8738. 

# # #

Downtown Toms River, 218 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 | 732-341-8738
©2011 Downtown Toms River. All rights reserved.
November 21, 2011