Trees in Mantua’s Chestnut Branch Park were adorned with Christmas lights for the Dec. 5 event. Below, Committeewoman Eileen Lukens (left to right); Miss Cape Resort, Emily Cooney; and Mayor Bob Zimmerman were among attendees.
Though the weather was indeed frightful, hundreds of people in and out of Mantua attended the township’s annual winter festival on the night of Dec. 5 in Chestnut Branch Park.
“The frigid temperatures certainly solidified that it was a winter event, but the extremely cold weather and gusty winds kept some residents away,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman, who nonetheless estimated the festival drew about 500 people.
The park was decorated with tree lights and inflatables for the variety of activities that took place throughout the night, including a DJ, carnival rides, a bonfire to keep warm and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The night was capped off with a fireworks display.
The festival was organized by the Mantua recreation committee. Members of the township committee – including Eileen Lukens – were in attendance, as was Miss Cape Resort, Emily Cooney, a Mantua resident who earned her title as part of the Miss New Jersey contest that leads to the Miss America pageant.
“I had the best night with my community as we celebrated the magic of the holiday season yesterday,” she noted on Instagram the next day.
But the temperature during the event resulted in some complaints from the public that Zimmerman addressed in his mayor’s message after the festival.
“We’ve received some criticisms relative to the event being held on such a cold evening,” he acknowledged. “First off, it’s a winter festival after all, and we obviously can’t control the weather. Secondly, the township enters into contractual agreements with vendors, including the rides and fireworks, etc. Canceling … could be costly and create a rescheduling dilemma, especially this time of year.”
Still, the mayor gave credit to event organizers and staff for the festival going off without a hitch.
“Overall, it was a great night highlighted with Santa and Mrs. Claus and an exciting fireworks display,” he noted. “Special thanks to our recreation committee for organizing this event and for fighting through the many obstacles to make sure we were able to safely and successfully get through a fun-filled evening.”
