Manalapan's Winter Wonderland Now A Holiday Lights Destination

MANALAPAN, NJ — The township's Winter Wonderland seems magical. But making it happen takes planning by township employees with more than their share of holiday spirit.

The Winter Wonderland opened up at the tree lighting Wednesday at Town Hall.

"If you were not able to make it, please stop by any evening to see it as it will be up all season," the township tells residents.

Administrator Tara Lovrich started the idea of a Winter Wonderland last year, said Jeannette Toro, assistant to Administration and Governing Body and the social media coordinator.

"We set up lights in our arboretum for the families to walk through and take pictures," she said.

The tree lighting night was special, she said.

"Santa comes to light our tree and visit with the children. Members of our Teen Leadership Committee volunteer their time to serve hot chocolate and hand out cookies in the arboretum the night of the tree lighting. This year we had students from the Rising Stars School of Dance perform, as well as members of the Manalapan Regional Orchestra. It was a great turn out," Toro said.

She said the Public Works Department set up the light display. Many of the lights were donated or collected along the way.

"Our Public Works employee Jack Fineran spent a lot of time setting up the display. He is very skilled in the area of lighting design and he also is able to fix lights that others may discard because they stop working, which all make great additions to our display," Toro said.

Visitors to the display can share pictures or videos on the township Facebook site, too. And there is always Santa's mailbox for those wish lists. (Hint: If you include a return address on your letter, Santa will write back your child.)

And the holiday celebrati0ns continue Monday for the township menorah lighting at 7 p.m.