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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2007 |
CONTACT: Tom Plante, 908-527-4746 |
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Kick Off the Holiday Season in the Watchung Reservation, Dec. 2 |
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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Watchung Reservation will come alive with holiday festivities on Sunday, Dec. 2, as the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presents a fun-filled day for the entire family. Admission to all the events is free of charge. “Union County’s largest park will be the setting for a variety of activities at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, the Watchung Stable and The Loop playground area. Visit one or all of the sites!” said Freeholder Chairwoman Bette Jane Kowalski. “A free shuttle bus between the events will be available at 2:00 p.m.” Begin with a stroll through the nature-themed Holiday Boutique in the newly renovated Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Visitors may purchase hand-crafted gifts for the holidays made from natural materials. There’ll be something for everyone interested in the beauty of nature. |
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After 2:30 p.m., you can visit the Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside, for more festivities! Before the 5:00 p.m. lighting of a 40-foot tall Christmas tree and a Chanukah Menorah, enjoy a petting zoo, lead line horse rides, children’s crafts, demonstrations by the Watchung Mounted Drill Team, the Union County Sheriff’s K-9 unit and Union County’s bomb squad robot, barn tours and holiday singers. Children’s fingerprinting and D-Chips, an additional digital child identification service, will be available at the Watchung Stable from the Union County Police Department. The Watchung Stable Auxiliary will be selling refreshments. Of course there also will be a chance to visit Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves! “If you are planning to come with a youngster, let me encourage you to bring a camera to take pictures with Santa,” said Freeholder Kowalski. “We also are asking you to help make the holiday season a little better for someone less fortunate by bringing an item of dry or canned food, or a new, unwrapped toy to Watchung Stable in lieu of an admission fee. All of the items we collect will be distributed through local charities.” Union County employees will be contributing to the charity drive by taking part in a friendly inter-office competition. County government departments have selected and will be decorating “themed trees.” Come view these trees adorned with items such as hats, scarves, mittens and socks, dolls, sports toys and school supplies. Then cast your vote for your favorite tree! All items and the trees themselves will be distributed to families through the Union County Department of Human Services’ Annual Holiday Toy Drive. For further information about the Union County Holiday Lights Celebration, the |
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