Downtown Scotch Plains Lights Up at Annual Holiday Celebration

The countdown to Christmas began in Scotch Plains on Sunday, as the township lit its tree and officially started celebrating the season.

Mayor Nancy Malool was joined by Santa Claus as she rose in the air on a fire truck lift to light the tree. Once the two reached the top, the crowd began its countdown to zero and the mayor threw "magical fairy dust" onto the tree, causing its lights to come aglow.

"Santa! Santa! I want a remote control car!" were among the cheers coming from children as they begged for Kris Kringle's attention as he descended back down to the ground.

Prior to the 5 p.m. tree lighting, the holiday celebration featured a number of other activities. The annual event is sponsored by the Scotch Plains Recreation Department and Scotch Plains Business-Professional Association.

The big attraction, of course, was Santa, who met with children throughout the afternoon in the gazebo on the Village Green.

"We were driving by and I said, 'I have a feeling Santa is here,'" said one North Plainfield woman who stopped by the festivities with her two children.

When families weren't waiting in line to meet Saint Nick, they were marveling at a Rudolph-inspired ice sculpture or joking around with Rainbow the Clown. Others occupied their time at the petting zoo on the municipal building's front lawn.

"We brought them out here to see the goats, the llamas," town manager Chris Marion said as his young children played with the animals.

The Watchung-based Kafka Farm sponsored the attraction.

"The kids love it," said Dan Katz, who was there with Debbie Kafka selling food to feed to the miniature animals. Pony and carriage rides were also available.

View the video and photos on the right to see the tree lighting and other attractions from the event.