For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2009
'Tis the season of cheer in Monmouth County
FREEHOLD, NJ – What do Kenny Rogers, Ebenezer Scrooge and Winnie the Pooh all have in common? This December they will be part of Monmouth County's 2009 holiday season that also includes caroling, shopping, tree lightings and holiday concerts.
Here's a sampling:
See Christmas up close on walking tours in Ocean Grove, Spring Lake, Historic Allaire Village and downtown Red Bank, which also offers horse-drawn carriage rides. The annual Four Corners Lantern Tour of Shrewsbury starts at Christ Church. Explore Asbury Park's eclectic holiday offerings on First Saturday or enjoy Highlands' annual tree lighting and the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at Garden State Parkway Exit 116 in Holmdel.
The county will light its Christmas tree on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. and its menorah on Dec. 15. Both events will take place in front of the Hall of Records in Freehold.
Sing along with the Monmouth Civic Chorus Carolers at Pier Village in Long Branch. Strolling carolers enliven Red Bank's shopping experience. The county's Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center in Middletown presents "Sunday Smilers: Performance for Children and Their Families, and the Two River Theater Company serves up "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical" at Pier Village. "YOSI" National Children's Rock 'n' Roll Revelation will be there, too, along with Santa Claus, posing for photographs with your pet.
Menorah lightings are in Bradley Beach, Freehold and Long Branch's Pier Village, which also will feature an acoustic Hanukkah concert.
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank presents Kenny Rogers' Christmas and Hits, and A Holiday Doo-Wop starring Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge. The Basie also offers its annual Nutcracker Suite ballet, The Celtic Tenors, Nancy Scharff, Handel's Messiah and the 19th annual Glen Burtnik's "Xmas Xtravaganza."
Catch "Scrooge" at the Spring Lake Theatre Co., the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" is at Historic Allaire Village. "The Shoemaker and the Christmas Elves" and James Alexander's holiday songs come to the Algonquin Arts in Manasquan, which also is presenting "A Christmas Carol."
Monmouth University stages Father Alphonse Stephenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter By The Sea, "A Christmas Carol," and "The Pooh Christmas Carol" where Winnie the Pooh, portrays the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and visits Rabbineezer Scrooge and takes him on a journey that changes him forever in this twist on the classic Dickens holiday story.
There's something for everyone and, best of all, a lot of it is free.
The Monmouth County Division of Tourism has all the information on its Calendar of Events, a comprehensive listing that's updated daily at www.visitmonmouth.com. Most attractions are linked to Web sites that provide details.
You may also call 1-800 523-2587 to have a packet of information mailed to you within 24 hours or, if you're in town, visit the Department of Economic Development and Tourism at 1 E. Main St., Freehold, to select the information you want.
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