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OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE
FREEHOLD - A magnificent 30-foot tall Douglas fir donated by an Upper Freehold Township farm stands proudly in illuminated glory as this year's official Monmouth County Christmas tree.
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held last week in front of the Hall of Records on East Main Street, Freehold, sponsored by the Freehold Center Partnership.
The tree was discovered on a 10-acre site on Route 539 owned by High Ridge Farms, directly across from the Monmouth County Highway Department's District 7 headquarters. County Shade Tree employee John O'Connor had spotted a group of tall evergreens in that area and inquired with the owner about the possibility of donating one for a holiday display.
"They gave me a couple of choices and we picked the Douglas fir," O'Connor said.
High Ridge Farms owns a total of 1,100 acres of White pine, Serbian spruce, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Colorado spruce and Montgomery spruce, to name a few.
The owners were happy to be part of the county's holiday celebration, said farm employee, Dawn Matyi.
 | | --Photos Courtesy Of County Of Monmouth, New Jeresy The official start to the holiday season got underway last week with the annual Monmouth County Christmas tree lighting ceremony in front of the Hall of Records on East Main Street in Freehold. The Douglas fir came courtesy of High Ridge Farms in Upper Freehold. |
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"We thought we would do something nice for the county," Matyi said. "It's nice to give back to the community."
The annual tree lighting ceremony has always been highly anticipated and a traditionally favorite of the community, drawing as many as 500 people in past years, according to Jayne Carr, executive director of the Freehold Center Partnership.
In addition to the display of lights, attendees were treated to the seasonal sounds of the Freehold Township High School Brass Band and the Saint Rose Bell Choir. The music, together with the background of historic buildings that line Main Street, set the stage for a picture postcard start to the holiday season.
Dignitaries and elected officials from Freehold and Monmouth County attended the event, with members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders pulling the switch to officially light the tree and kick of the holidays.
In addition to the tree, the Freehold Center Partnership unveiled its new and updated lighting decorations around town. There are new banner poles in the downtown area as well as new snowflake decorations on display to enhance the winter setting in the borough.
A special guest of honor, Santa Claus, rode a fire truck through town, before stopping at the Hall of Records to sit and chat with the youngsters in attendance.
Throughout December, Freehold Center Partnership has a number of other special events planned. In addition to the Christmas tree lighting program, a menorah lighting ceremony will be held December 6; the Freehold Comcast Holiday Concert is December 7; Santa's Train on December 8; breakfast with Santa on December 18, and a caroling hayride on December 21.
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