Arts & Entertainment

Back-To-Back Holiday Fun

The day after Thanksgiving in Collingswood kicks off the borough's biggest holiday events of the year.

Your stomach may still be in recuperation the day after Thanksgiving, but by 7 p.m., normalcy should return just in time for the borough's two biggest yearly events.

It will all begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, with the borough's annual Tree Lighting event.

"It's sort of an unspoken understanding," said Collingswood Partners' Terry Seeley of the Tree Lighting ceremony. "It's the local event that marks the beginning of the holiday season."

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At 7 p.m. Friday, the crowds will gather once again at borough hall to see the lighting of the tree. But as if that weren't dazzling enough, the borough also lights-up the trees that run up and down Haddon Avenue.

"A lot of people don't realize what goes into the Tree Lighting," said Collingswood Borough Communications Director Cass Duffey. "There tens of thousands of lights strung up, all of which are lit simultaneously. It's really beautiful to see."

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And after the borough is well-lit, the atmosphere will become even more festive in anticipation of a special visitor's arrival.

Because each year after the lighting, the avenue is lined with choir carolers who sing holiday favorites as the spectators wait for Santa Claus' arrival.

And Santa's arrival isn't just any run-of-the-mill appearance. 

In past years, tradition has it that Santa descends upon his crowd from the heights of Collingswood Borough Hall's roof–with a little help from the fire department ladder, of course. 

The Tree Lighting runs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26.

But holdiay-lovers, rejoice!

When the festive Tree Lighting ends, an even bigger holiday event begins just 14 hours later.

Because at promptly 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, come back and enjoy the annual Collingswood Holiday Parade–known to be one of Collingswood's biggest events of the entire year.

Running from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, the parade will begin at Zane Avenue. The route will continue to run along Haddon Avenue, right through the heart of Collingswood, ending near West Linden Avenue. 

The borough will feature the same traditions in this year's parade, including Mummers, string bands, entertainers, marching bands, dancers, floats and Santa Claus himself. Antique cars and motorcycles will also be featured driving along the two-hour parade route, including cars of the original Garden State Corvette Club.  

Besides Santa, other highlights of year's parade will include Philadelphia sports mascots like the Phillie Phanatic.

Every year, the parade is led by a different grand marshal. Set to appear as the 2010 Collingswood Holiday Parade Grand Marshal is NBC 10 News Today Anchor Terry Ruggles.

The parade is so well-loved in the borough, said Collingswood Police Lt. Glenn A. Prince, that parking can't be found for miles.

"It's such a huge event that the streets are literally packed with cars and people before the parade even starts," said Prince. "Do what I do every year. Dress warm, and get here as early as possible. It's really a spectacular parade, so you want to get here early and secure a good spot to watch."


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