Things are Getting Festive in Avalon!

Things are Getting Festive in Avalon!
By Jennifer Davenport


Thanksgiving is a time for family and a chance to give thanks for all of the blessings in your life. However, let’s not forget that it’s also the time to start (if you haven’t already) your holiday shopping! The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally a major shopping day. This year, instead of standing in line at the mall, why not shop locally? Avalon has a long list of incredible stores to shop in and, with our annual Festive Friday event, we will help your children have fun, too!

Hosted by the 7 Mile Business Community Association and the Borough of Avalon, Festive Friday has more than 40 free holiday activities for children of all ages to enjoy. This is the fourth year for the event, and each year it gets bigger and better! Join us for live entertainment throughout the business district from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The main attraction for this year’s event will be an ice-skating rink, located on the grass median on Dune Drive between 19th and 20th streets. We can’t think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit, than to spend a little time out on the ice. Now you can do that right here in Avalon. Adults and children of all ages are invited to come and skate while you listen to holiday music. Skates will be available for you to use.

Other highlights of the day include a caricature artist hosted by Josh and Kim Miller at Ocean Galleries, 297 22nd St. Once again, Bill Albrecht welcomes families for a free game of miniature golf at Avalon Mini Golf, located at 2438 Dune Drive. And don’t forget man’s best friend! Bring your dogs to the Princeton Bar and Grill, 21st and Dune Drive, from noon to 2 p.m. to have their photo taken with Santa Claus.

In addition, there will be bounce houses, located at the Avalon Rescue Squad building, Coldwell Banker and Circle Pizza, and face painters, balloon clowns, holiday crafts and letters-to-Santa stations throughout the business district. Make sure you bring your camera! This year, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella, Mrs. Claus and other holiday favorites will be out and about, ready to pose for pictures. If you need a snack along the way, grab some hot chocolate, s’mores, popcorn or cotton candy. You can also stop by The Preppy Palm, where Rose is turning the store into a lounge (with football games on, of course) for anyone who needs to take a break from the action!

Beginning at 4 p.m., the entertainment moves to the 21st Street circle. From 4-7 p.m. there will be live entertainment. Children can enjoy a magic show and a stilt walker, and get their faces painted while the adults listen to live music. The Cumberland County College Wind Symphony will be playing for the hour leading up to the tree lighting and children from Stone Harbor and Avalon’s Elementary Schools will be singing after the tree lighting.

Following the day’s events, Santa Claus will come to town for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Beginning at 5 p.m., he will ride aboard a fire engine to 21st Street and Dune Drive, where he will join President of Avalon Borough Council Nancy Hudanich to light Avalon’s tree. We hope you have made the nice list because once the tree is lit, everyone is invited to pose for pictures with Santa and let him know what you would like to find under the tree this year.

Festive Friday is a terrific event to help get you feeling, well, festive! Why not spend the day shopping for unique gifts, without the stress! Join us for a day of great shopping and fun for the whole family to enjoy.



As reported in the November and December Holiday issue of Seven Mile Times www.sevenmiletimes.com

Visit our TWITTER and FACEBOOK

For more Stone Harbor & Avalon attractions, click HERE