Come one, come all to An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave—downtown Vineland’s two-day Yuletide extravaganza of holiday cheer, to take place Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 on Landis Avenue—from the 500 block to East Avenue.
Event chairperson Josephine Spinelli sees this event as a golden opportunity for people to come together in the spirit of holiday joy and camaraderie.
The 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 Friday, December 2, from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, December 3, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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, Yuletide characters and décor, food, 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.
The proceedings will kick off on Friday, December 2, with the lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree and ribbon-cutting at City Hall, 740 E. Wood St., at 5 p.m., featuring CBS 3 Eyewitness News television personality Jim Donovan and Vineland High School Select Choir under the direction of Lori Cummings. Mayor Anthony Fanucci invites the community to join us as we kick off this weekend event.
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 warmer 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.
“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 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are open seven days a week.
“We’re also encouraging our other downtown merchants and restaurants to stay open 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 TheAve.biz, or visit it on Facebook.
