By Anthony J. Machcinski
With Thanksgiving officially crossed off the calendar, residents of the area can now
focus solely on the Christmas season. Whether it’s seeing the houses lit up around the area or going to a local Christmas tree lot to get the best pine, the Christmas season
just has a tradition that is unmatched by any other holiday. With that in mind,
the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone (KUEZ) will be holding its annual tree-lighting ceremony.
The lighting will take place on December 1st, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by KUEZ with help from Midtown Pharmacy and River Terminal Development, has been a popular way for Kearny residents to kick off their Christmas
season.
“The event has been very successful,” said KUEZ coordinator John Peneda. “Some
estimates of the past few years have had crowds over a thousand people.”
To help ring in the holiday season, the KUEZ has gotten several groups to perform
at the event. These groups include the Washington School Dream Team, Franklin
School 5th and 6th grade chorus, excerpts from Mater Dei Academy Drama Club,
St. Stephen Children’s Choir, and performances from Teen Drama and Stonehenge.
Among other activities, children will have the opportunity to sit with Santa and take a picture, providing their parents have their cameras with them.
The KUEZ has hosted the event for the past couple of Years. They see it as a way to bring attention to the town’s business district. The organization is hopeful that
people will do their holiday shopping here.
“The whole idea is to get people to come to the center of town and do some shopping,
but also keeping the town united,” Peneda explained. “Our member stores
charge only 3.5 percent sales tax, as opposed to the 7 percent in normal stores so
customers will save money by shopping in town.”
For Peneda, the event isn’t just about bringing savings to the town’s residents, it’s
about bringing the holiday spirit. The town has done this by putting up Christmas
lights on the telephone poles.
“It’s the Christmas season and like everyone puts lights on their houses, we like to
dress up the town,” Peneda said.
One new way the KUEZ hopes to provide the holiday spirit is through “Frosty’s Dance Party,” an event for children that will feature several beloved characters including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the Gingerbread Man, and even the Grinch.
While there is fun for the children, the parents also get a gift from the KUEZ. From
December 9th through December 26, curbside parking on Kearny Ave. will be free
in order to promote shopping in the KUEZ zone.
Even Mayor Al Santos will be in attendance, as he will help Santa light the tree.
“This tree lighting festival has become a wonderful start to the season,” said Mayor
Santos. “I encourage all residents to come out and enjoy the holidays in Kearny.”
The tree lighting will be held on Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. outside of Kearny Town Hall.
