Mullica Hill’s annual Lights on Main tree lighting ceremony and celebration took place on Nov. 27 with hundreds of residents of Mullica Hill and surrounding communities shopping down the holiday themed street.
The Lights on Main event started in 2013 and has become a tradition for many families in the area. The family friendly celebration gave kids the opportunity to visit Santa, and vendors were set up outside to promote Small Business Saturday during the popular shopping weekend.
Leading up to the tree lighting, performances came from local youth dance and theatre groups as well as local musicians. The main attraction occurred at 7 p.m., when Mayor Lou Manzo announced the tree lighting.
“One of the things that we always think about on this night, we do this on Thanksgiving weekend on purpose because everybody’s home,” Manzo said. “The kids are home from college … It’s a family weekend.”
An 85-foot-high tree now stands at the corner of 62 S. Main St. Planted in 1956, it’s wrapped in white lights and glows during the holiday season. Manzo gathered kids around a large button on stage to trigger illumination.
“Together we work on your behalf to make this community the best community to raise a family in South Jersey,” Manzo said as the town committee stood behind him on stage. “We continue to do that every day.”
The night did not end after the lighting, or even when Main Street reopened. The Lights on Main after-party continued until 11 p.m., hosted by the American Legion Post at 141 N. Main St.
Main Street also hosted a Taste of the Season event on Dec. 4 where ticket holders strolled down the street to enjoy seasonal treats from local businesses.
