For Immediate Release:
November 30, 2009
Lighting of Douglas fir to kick off holiday season
FREEHOLD – A traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremony outside the Monmouth County Hall of Records will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 1 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Those in attendance will enjoy holiday music featuring the Rock ’n’ Roll Chorus and the Freehold Township High School Holiday Ensemble. The music, together with the background of historic buildings that line Main Street, helps set the stage for a picture postcard start to the holiday season.
All eyes will be on the 25-foot-tall Douglas fir as Freeholder Deputy Director John D’Amico flips the switch to light the tree.
“The tree was planted in the front yard of a Freehold Borough home nearly two decades ago,” D’Amico said. “It was planted there by Beth and Hank Sliski in honor of their son Kurt’s first Christmas. Kurt is now 19 years old and the family has donated the tree to the people of Monmouth County. This magnificent tree may have gotten too big for their yard, but it is perfect for the 2009 holiday season. Thank you to the Sliski family for their generosity.”
The tree rolled into downtown Freehold last week aboard a large flatbed truck. It was decorated by the county’s Building & Grounds crews in preparation for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Freehold Center Partnership.
A special guest of honor, Santa Claus, will be riding a fire truck through town before stopping at the Hall of Records to sit and chat with the youngsters in attendance.
“As we open our hearts this time of year, let us remember that the holidays are a time for peace, love and hope,” D’Amico said. “On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I wish you and your families all of the joys the holiday season can possibly bring.”
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