Chestnut Branch Park was decorated for the evening as residents gathered for the festival on Dec. 4.
The group Three of a Kind provided music, both festive and otherwise, at Chestnut Branch Park.
The people of Mantua came together on the night of Dec. 4 to welcome the community’s holiday season at the annual winter festival in Chestnut Branch Park.
Hundreds of people attended the free event to see the park decorated for the season with lights, blowups and other decorations. It is intended for township families to enjoy together.
“This is a great event,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman at the festivities. “We’ve been doing it for years. By comparison to last year, it was brutally cold last year. We probably had 5% of what we have right now last year. It is already a really good turnout.”
Residents could take advantage of a wide variety of attractions, including three carnival rides and the park’s landmarks. A live band, Three of a Kind, performed throughout the night, food trucks were available and guests had the chance to get a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Among the attendees was Jim Jefferson, deputy director of the Gloucester County Commissioners, who met with members of the township committee.
“What a great night in the township of Mantua for their winter festival,” he said on social media. “A little chilly, but so much fun seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
The event concluded with a fireworks display that brought light to the cold night sky. The event was organized by the Mantua recreation committee, which is made up of volunteers from the community. The festival proved to be a huge success.
“It’s one of our bigger events, along with Police in the Park,” Zimmerman noted. “It gets people out in the community to celebrate the holidays and it’s fun and it’s festive. It’s a community event. Our goal is to bring people out, to give them an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful park and environment that we have here to connect during the holidays.”
