Several hundred Moorestown residents braved the bitter cold last Monday to witness the Moorestown Community House Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The annual tradition has expanded its scope yearly, and the Dec. 2 event didn’t disappoint.
The lighting ceremony, in its 13th year, took place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.
The Moorestown High School Band and the school’s elite, a cappella group called the Madrigals, were among the night’s entertainment.
A man with a silver beard dressed as Santa also made a cameo appearance and joked how the frigid temperatures reminded him of the North Pole.
New Community House Executive Director Pamela Henshall did her part to work the crowd into a frenzy just minutes before the Christmas tree lighting.
“This is the best crowd I have ever seen!” Henshall yelled from the podium. “Wow! Look at you all!”
“From what I understand, the event drew a larger audience than in previous years, so an estimate of several hundred people would be accurate,” Henshall said in an interview the following day. “I was also delighted to speak to several folks who live in surrounding towns and have made attending the event an annual tradition – all 13 years.”
Henshall described the tree lighting ceremony as one of Community House’s signature events.
In addition to the talented performers, the event unveiled the Moorestown Jewish Association’s new 11-foot menorah aglow in blue light.
This year’s lighting event added a Holiday Market Shop with four vendors selling jewelry, pet treats, and woodwork art, among other items.
Henshall said she would like to double the number of vendors to eight next year and add more musical acts.
“This event is going to get even bigger next year,” Henshall said.
Another add-on this year was a family portrait area where families posed for pictures free of charge amidst the festive backdrop.
Hundreds flooded the front lawn of 16 East Main Street just before 5 p.m. An hour into the event, they were still streaming in, reflecting its popularity.
“As the new Executive Director, I was in awe of the magical splendor throughout the evening,” Henshall, who assumed the role at the nonprofit organization on July 1, said.
“The joyful atmosphere among family and friends gathering at the Community House – the center of Mooretown – continues to be the heart of Moorestown and our many traditions,” Henshall added.
It certainly is for the Esche family. Maria, 70, and Bob Esche, 71, have attended the lighting ceremony all 13 years.
2011 was the inaugural year when the event took center stage at Community House, and where it’s been held ever since on every first Monday of December.
This Monday night, the Eche clan included their daughter, Laura Henes, 38, and two granddaughters, who stood or sat in the front row bundled up in full winter gear.
“This (event) kicks off the holiday season,” said Maria Esche. “It always has a special feel to it with everyone out here smiling and having a good time, just like tonight.”
The boisterous crowd included fathers with kids on their shoulders and mothers holding toddlers by the hand; all gathered to see the lit Christmas tree and Menorah.
Community House handed out free cups of hot chocolate, cookies, and pretzels earlier in the evening to help fend off the cold.
For many, the annual tree lighting event reminds them why they returned to Moorestown.
“The kids grow up, go to college and move out,” said Maria Esche. “They marry, have their own family, and come back to Moorestown to raise their kids.”
That’s what Esche’s daughter, Laura Henes, said she did after having her own daughters, now ages 10 and 6.
“It has that small town feel and charm to it,” Henes said. “It’s like (the comedy show) Cheers, everybody knows everybody here, and everyone knows your name.”
