South Plainfield is gearing up for its annual holiday kickoff, and this year's edition carries extra weight: the borough's Public Celebrations Committee will present its “Making Spirits Bright” festivities on Sunday, November 29, starting at 5:30 p.m., with a light parade and tree lighting that double as the finale of South Plainfield's yearlong centennial celebration.
The evening begins with a holiday light parade traveling from the South Plainfield Senior Center to Borough Hall, according to TAPinto South Plainfield. Once the parade reaches Borough Hall, it will be followed immediately by the borough's traditional tree lighting ceremony out front. Residents and organizations are encouraged to register to take part in the parade itself, per the same report.
Music, Cocoa and a Visit From Santa
Beyond the lights and the tree, the celebration will feature holiday music, treats, and hot chocolate for those who come out to brave the late-November evening. Children and families will also get the chance to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, according to TAPinto South Plainfield, rounding out an evening built for the whole family. Should the weather not cooperate, the festivities have a rain date set for Sunday, December 6, as reported by TAPinto South Plainfield.
A Fitting Close to a Century of History
The timing is no accident: South Plainfield celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, and borough officials are framing the parade and tree lighting as the capstone of that yearlong commemoration. Christine Faustini, the council president and liaison to the Public Celebrations Committee, said the event is a fitting conclusion to South Plainfield's centennial celebration, tying the season's warmth to the town's milestone year.
Borough Administrator Glenn Cullen struck a similar note, saying the tree lighting brings families, friends and neighbors together. That sentiment has long been at the heart of the borough's holiday tradition, and this year it arrives with the added resonance of marking a full century for South Plainfield as a community.
