Santa Illuminates Morristown Green

The masses flocked to the Morristown Green to see the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the decorations around the green. The temperature was cold and breezy, but the warmth on the ruddy faces of all those in attendance was plain to see as Saint Nick descended from the roof of the Century 21 Building shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday and made his way to the Santa house after a brief stop at the podium to ignite the lights around the green.

Santa will be hanging out in Morristown throughout the holiday season as part of a centennial celebration of Christmas on the Green throughout the month of December.

"What a great crowd and we are so proud to bring you this event," said Phil DelGiudice, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Morristown Partnership.  "This tradition has gone on for generations and people keep coming back to Morristown."

It was a big weekend for the Morristown Partnership, as DelGiudice said that their gift greenback program, which gave a bonus $10 for every $50 purchased for local Morristown businesses, was an enormous success again this year.

"The Partnership gave away $10,000. That means $25,000 was spent," DelGiudice said. " That is $35,000 that will be spent in Morristown."

NJ101.5 radio personality Bob Williams was master of ceremonies for the event, but yielded the mic to Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty briefly. Dougherty thanked the crowd and the police, firemen, DPW and first responders for their efforts before leading the crowd in a cheer for Santa.

" Mary and I are so grateful you were all able to come out and support this event," Dougherty said. "Thank you for coming and enjoying our beautiful green and have a wonderful holiday season."

The holiday tradition on the green began in 1913 with a small group of festive volunteers lighting a single star atop one tree on the Morristown Green. Since that time, this tradition has spread holiday cheer to countless families with its addition of a Santa House, holiday crafts, entertainment and seasonal decor, including the lamppost wreaths throughout town.

According to the Morristown Partnership, the growing enthusiasm from the community to upgrade the aesthetics of the Morristown Green and the Town during the holiday season prompted them to take over the responsibility of this beloved tradition nearly thirteen years ago.

Upon securing a grant to underwrite the cost of a major electrical overhaul of the Morristown Green itself, the Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green as as it is known today was born.

Presented by the Morristown Partnership, 2013 Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green Premier & Title Sponsors are Century 21 Department Store, Morristown Medical Center, Hyatt Morristown, and The Star Ledger.

Families and individuals that grew up in this community and have since lived in various places in the U.S. and abroad make it a point to contact the Morristown Partnership each year to get the schedule of activities that are to take place on the Morristown Green during the holiday season.

For additional information please contact Morristown Partnership, 14 Maple Avenue, Suite 201, Morristown, NJ 07960 at 973-455-1133, or visit www.morristown-nj.org, on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.