Hallmark Holiday Event Comes To Christmas Tree Farm In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — There will be two weekends of Hallmark-inspired holiday fun coming up at the Anne Ellen Tree Farm.

The farm on Daum Road is one of eight places in the country chosen by the Hallmark Channel to promote its holiday programming event, Countdown to Christmas. It's the first time the farm was singled out for the Hallmark celebration.

The Anne Ellen Tree Farm will host special events for visitors Nov. 25 to 27 and Dec. 3 to 4 as part of the Hallmark event.

Anne Ellen farm is a well-known holiday destination, said one of the owners, Jack Sangillo, so "Hallmark actually reached out to us."

The farm is a popular site for professional photo shoots too. In fact, the Children's Place clothing store shot its holiday photos there this year, he said.

Countdown to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel provides new, original holiday movie premieres every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the holiday season on the network, the company says.

For the second year in a row, Hallmark Channel "is extending the celebration beyond the screen by coming to eight towns across the country."

And Manalapan is one of them.

The network's presence at Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm will celebrate the start of the season with Hallmark Channel-branded festivities and fun, the company says.

While choosing the perfect Christmas tree, guests can also enjoy some holiday goodies and pose for a photo to commemorate Countdown to Christmas.

In addition, randomly selected visitors will receive a free Christmas tree, courtesy of Hallmark Channel, the company said.

Anne Ellen Tree Farm is at 114 Daum Road, Manalapan, 07726

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 25 to 27 and Dec. 3 to 4.

Sangillo said the farm was already going to be quite busy with visitors and he now expects a bit more attention. The farm has a Christmas Village and a light display, and Hallmark will also be at the village, he said.

Last year Hallmark had a Countdown to Christmas event in 12 locations, a Hallmark publicist said, but not in this area.

Also this year, there is a Countdown to Christmas Hallmark event in Lower Makefield Township in Pennsylvania.