We’re coming up soon on the season of joy—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa. We’re coming up on a season for festivities, for shopping, for parades, for family events. Bringing this back home, The Ave has all of the above in store for you. Let’s take a look.
The season of joy on The Ave is also wedding season. We’ve devoted the month of November to a Weddings on The Ave promotion. We’re fortunate to have several wedding-related businesses downtown to serve the needs of brides and grooms. This promotion is sponsored by Al’s Shoes, whose owner, Brian Lankin, is chair of our Board of Directors. Take a look at the array of wedding-related businesses on The Ave: Al’s Shoes (639 E. Landis Ave.), Brass Frog Photography (727 E. Landis Ave.), DeSoto Jewelers (651 E. Landis Ave.), Finer Flowers (645 E. Landis Ave.), Jessie’s Bridal Shop (539 E. Landis Ave.), Juvante Formal Wear (735 E. Landis Ave.), Lauro Jewelers (622 E. Landis Ave.), Pretty On Purpose (744 E. Landis Ave.), Rienzi Bridal Salon (745 E. Landis Ave.), The Spot (618 E. Landis Ave.), and Touched By Jewel (605 E. Landis Ave.).
Speaking of our merchants, celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 27, by stopping into our many fine downtown merchants for holiday shopping. Small Business Saturday has grown from a small effort started by American Express into a nationwide phenomenon. Help the local small businesses that make up our downtown and provide jobs for our residents.
After you’ve done your shopping that day, hang around or come back to The Ave that evening for our annual Main Street Vineland Christmas Parade. It’ll start at 5 p.m. and, if it rains, it’ll be held the next day at the same time. This year’s theme is “An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave.” The major sponsor is Friends of Michael Testa Jr. for State Senate, with Newfield National Bank and Lidl as supporting sponsors. Trophies will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in both the Large Float and Petite Float categories. It’ll be preceded by a performance by members of the Vineland Regional Dance Company. COVID-related safety measures will be in place. Volunteers are currently being sought to help coordinate on parade night and additional parade sponsorship opportunities are available.
Applications to be in the parade or to be a vendor can be obtained by going to TheAve.biz—where the rules and regulations can also be reviewed and printed. To be a participant, applications must be completed online. Registration is free and all registrations must be received by Friday, November 19. Registration is required to participate and no registrations will be allowed on the night of the parade.
With December, comes a new event. An Olde Fashioned Christmas on The Ave will take place on Landis Avenue from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5. G.E. Mechanical will be the major sponsor of this event. Stay tuned for more details.
Even more events are in the works on The Ave, including the annual downtown menorah lighting sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties, so watch closely.
