MANCHESTER – Santa Claus delivered some perfect weather for the 3rd Annual Christmas in the Pines that was held recently.
That present was greatly appreciated following the unfortunate cancelation of the township’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1 due to the excessive rain that occurred. The weather was sunny and mild and the spirit of the holidays was observed at this event which enjoyed a new location, Harry Wright Lake.
Sporting her silver boots for the festive occasion was Council President Roxy Conniff who arrived early to help out. She told The Manchester Times that the event which was created by the township’s Chamber of Commerce “is mostly the township now. The Chamber is still involved. We will have our people here today volunteering but mostly this has been an effort of Tracey Lynch, (Recreation Department Director) and Caitlyn (Sloan) from our Recreation Department. They did an amazing job and worked very hard.”
Council President Roxy Conniff sang the National Anthem during this year’s Christmas in The Pines. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“I’m very proud of them and very excited for today’s event and we have amazing weather. We couldn’t have asked for a better day in December,” she added, grateful that the weather wasn’t anything like the night of the town’s tree lighting. “We will be having a tree lighting today.” She also noted that the township would hold its annual Menorah Lighting that was also coordinated by the Recreation Department later in the week.
The council president also graced the event with her performance of the National Anthem which her mother was present for and proud to watch along with the large audience that came out for the event. Reverend David Rittinger of Whiting Bible Church performed the invocation following the National Anthem.
“We have 25 vendors and we have our food trucks here and we have more parking with this venue and we’ll have walking trails through the woods,” Conniff added. The vendors sold various craft items, jewelry, candy, soaps and lotions and candles.
Other participants included New Hope Fellowship Worship, Whiting Bible Church, Manchester High School and Middle School bands, Marisiya Goins and Daphne Jones who performed between 2:10 p.m. and 3 p.m. Santa arrived to sit in his special stage by the decorated stage area.
Later in the day Emily Chant, the Manchester Middle School Choir, Casey Cribbin and Owen Jeffers performed along with Katie Sherman. Members of the Manchester High School Drama program, Choir and Brass Band also performed along with the gospel choir and Cassidy Gobel.
There was a variety of food among the vendors ranging from fried Oreos, funnel cake, hot chocolate, kettle corn, pizza, barbecue and chicken.
Council President Roxy Conniff, left joins a member of the Township Recreation Department and an Amazon delivery man who had brought packages (presumably from the North Pole) to put under the Christmas Tree where Santa would sit later in the day. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Children enjoyed the Santa make and take craft stations that were located across from the stage area and there were also raffles held during the afternoon.
The event concluded with the large Christmas tree positioned on the stage area being lit up in all its glory in the late afternoon.
Ten members of Boy Scout Troop 441 joined their leaders at their table selling a variety of items including candy bars, Budda Barbecue sauce, and peanut brittle. They had three scouts per two-hour session and this marked their first time participating in the Christmas in the Pines event which was previously held at a plaza in Whiting.
Twenty-five vendors came out for the 3rd Annual Christmas In The Pines. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Mayor Robert Arace came out along with Council Vice President James Vaccaro. The mayor also praised the work of Lynch and Sloan. “It all really looks beautiful. This is the first time I’m seeing it. I really think this could be Manchester’s special event. All the shore towns get the summer events but we really lean into the Christmas season.”
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