MANCHESTER – It has been five festive years for the township’s Christmas in the Pines holiday event and this most recent one drew quite a large crowd.
As in years past, there were vendors, food trucks, costumed characters like the Grinch, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Yukon Cornelius and the Bumble. Chris Kringle – better known as Santa Claus – of course made his way to the lake to greet children and adults.
A popular spot to keep warm and enjoy a sweet treat was the s’more’s firepit area carefully monitored by area first responders where you could build your own s’more or enjoy a cookie. The event started with the National Anthem, and there were performances by New Hope Fellowship Worship Youth Group and the Whiting Bible Church and the Middle School Choir.
Also hitting the stage was singer Joe Scarangello, who performed before the high school choir took the stage, followed a short time later by the Manchester High School and Middle School band.
Manchester High School student and Drama Club member Marisiya Goins who is very familiar with public performances also sang. Cassidy Gobel also performed and the Christmas Tree was lit up at 5 p.m. Lighted walking trails were opened at 3 p.m. for visitors to explore more entertainment.
Food vendors included Brooklyn’s Famous Pizza, City Eats, Fitchicks, John & Debbie O’s Concessions, Mister Softee and Simply Sofrito. There were plenty of craft vendors who provided some holiday specialties: Bundle of Soys, Carmelas Coastal Crafts, Colour on Ice, Caftin’ and Yarnin’, Crafts-n-Then Sum, Grandma B’s Handmade Treasures, Jackie O Creates, JP Leatherwork, Little Cash DIY, Scentsy, Seasons Change Sew Different, She’s Crafty, Sonny Jones Woodturner, The Crooked Kitchen and Woof & Waggle Company.
The holiday event was originally created by the township’s Chamber of Commerce. It is now a joint effort coordinated by Township Recreation Director Tracey Lynch that involves other township departments, the business community and the school district with local organization participation. It’s been at Harry Wright Lake for the last three years.
Special thanks went out to the New Hope Fellowship Worship and Whiting Bible churches, various school choirs and bands and performers and Manchester Township High School Drama Club, the township’s Department of Public Works, township police, EMS and Whiting and Ridgeway fire departments
Members of the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Committee were present once again this year and you could also drop off a letter to Santa.
