(VINELAND, NJ) -- Come one, come all to An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave—downtown Vineland’s three-day Yuletide extravaganza of holiday cheer, to take place Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 on Landis Avenue—from the 500 block to East Avenue. Turn the clock back to Christmas days of yesteryear—a weekend loaded with activities and opportunities to come to The Ave to enjoy great times and do holiday shopping. Enjoy live music, holiday movies, Yuletide characters and décor, food, stories, carriage rides, fun with Santa Claus, fun and fellowship, and lots more—just like olden times, when the atmosphere seemed to be warmer and more inviting.
This event, a throwback to Christmas times of old, is organized by Main Street Vineland, with major sponsorship by G.E. Mechanical. It will take place on December 3 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, December 4 from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and December 5 from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
The proceedings will kick off on Friday, December 5, with the lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree at City Hall, 740 E. Wood Street at 5:00pm, followed by a ribbon-cutting at the Landis Theater, 830 E. Landis Ave., featuring CBS 3 Eyewitness News television personality Jim Donovan.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and volunteers are being sought to help coordinate events and to play characters in the various events.
“Christmas has become so commercialized today that it is refreshing to take a step back to when times were simpler, the Yuletide experience was warner and friendlier, and the spirit of the holiday filled the air,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. “We are filling the weekend with that trip back in time.”
“This is also a great opportunity to make an extended visit to The Ave, take in the events we have in store for you and see all that our downtown has to offer to make your holiday celebration extra special,” said Main Street Vineland Associate Director Robert Scarpa.
Event chairperson Josephine Spinelli sees this event as a golden opportunity for people to come together in the spirit of holiday joy and camaraderie.
“We have been working hard on planning this event to make it one that people will remember and tell their children and grandchildren that this is the way Christmas celebrations used to be,” she said. “It is the kind of celebration that adds to the special character and warmth of a downtown. We want everyone to come out, enjoy, and make this Christmas extra special.”
“The event is also a chance to shop The Ave. You’ll help our local merchants and help yourself by getting some fine merchandise,” Swanson said. “We have merchants that have unique, locally-made items that could be just the thing for that special holiday gift.”
The Spot, at 618 E. Landis Ave., has over 80 vendors with items for gift-giving and home-decorating. They will be open during the event on Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 9:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and are open seven days a week.
“We’re also encouraging our other downtown merchants to stay open during late during this event. It’s an opportunity to shop local!!” Scarpa said.
For more information on this and all Main Street Vineland events, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653, visit the organization’s website at www.TheAve.biz, or visit it on Facebook.
A listing to date events and activities for An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave follows. Unless otherwise noted, musical events will take place in front of Landis MarketPlace, 631 E. Landis Ave.
Friday, December 3 (5:00pm-9:00pm)
5:00pm: Lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree (at City Hall, 740 E. Wood St.)
5:00pm: Ribbon-Cutting featuring CBS 3 Eyewitness News anchor Jim Donovan (at Landis Theater, 830 E. Landis Ave.)
5:00pm: Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland Campus Jazz Band and Wind Symphony (at Landis Theater)
5:00pm-6:00pm: Photos with Santa (at Landis Theater)
5:00pm-8:00pm: Carriage Rides
5:00pm: Divine Mercy and St. Isadore Churches Choir Concert
6:00pm: Free indoor movie—It’s a Wonderful Life (at Landis Theater)
7:30pm-8:30pm: Bay Atlantic Symphony Ensemble, Free Trolley Rides, Street Vendors, Roses For The Ladies, Fire Pits, Costumed Characters
Saturday, December 4 (11:00am-9:00pm)
11:00am-2:00pm: WVLT Live Radio Remote
12:00pm-2:00pm: Trolley Ride With Santa
12:00pm-3:00pm: Carriage Rides
1:00pm-4:00pm: Story Time with Miss Kathy (at The Spot, 618 E. Landis Ave.)
1:30pm: “Quilts of Honor” presentation to Marine Matthew Jordan (at The Spot)
3:00pm-5:00pm: Photos With Santa (at Main Street Vineland office, 603 E. Landis Ave.)
3:00pm: Christmas Crafts For Kids (at Landis Theater)
3:00pm & 7:00pm: Higbee’s Heroes Quartet
5:00pm: Adult Painting Party (at Landis Theater)
7:30pm: Louis Vincent Music
8:00pm: Elvis Christmas Show (at Landis Theater), Free Trolley Rides, Street Vendors, Christmas Corsages, Fire Pits, Christmas Characters, Christmas Parade-Winning Floats on Display
Sunday, December 5 (11:00am-3:00pm)
12:00pm: Santa Stroll
1:00pm: Pet Pictures With Santa
1:00pm: Juice and Cookies With Santa (at Main Street Vineland office)
2:00pm: Free indoor movie—Polar Express (at Landis Theater), Trolley Rides, Street Vendors, Christmas Carolers, Costumed Characters
