Let’s Celebrate Thanksgiving Weekend on the Island!
Due to new regulations released by Gov. Phil Murphy, portions of this event have been cancelled. Please visit www.visitiavalonnj.com and shnj.org for the latest event updates.
So far, every article I have written in the past six months has started with: “Due to COVID-19,” and man, am I sick of writing that! One day in the near future normalcy will return … at least I think it will. But for the time being, I actually have some GOOD NEWS to report! Amid cancellations and ruined plans arises the renowned Thanksgiving weekend on Seven Mile Beach. Nay, no bad news for this article, just happiness and positivity and a string of family-fun activities to enjoy as we, dare I say it – begin preparing for the holiday season? Bring on the lights, the trees, the décor, the music, the cookies and the refreshments. Because, wow, if there was ever a need for a festive celebration, 2020 would be it!
And so, we tentatively embark on a festive celebration throughout Avalon and Stone Harbor. And while it might be different than what we are used to, that’s OK! It’s new and exciting, and something to look forward to!
Set the scene.
We begin Thanksgiving weekend early this year, because I certainly don’t need an excuse to start celebrating anything early this year. Is it Friday? Celebrate! Did we remember to take out the trash in entirety this week? Celebrate! Back to the scene: The town of Avalon will begin to twinkle early this year with the return of a revised Festival of Trees. Travel throughout the shopping district of Avalon starting on Friday, Nov. 20 and be sure to visit each store along the way to check out the participating trees and wreaths. See one you can’t go home without? Let the bidding begin. Grab your phone and place your bid online and move on to the next display. Fear not, should someone outbid you, you will receive notice on your phone and have the opportunity to try again. Bidding will go through the afternoon on Nov. 28, when winners will be declared and you can head to the store to claim your favorite tree or wreath.
Another opportunity to celebrate early comes with the Virtual Turkey Trot 5K and 1.5-mile walk for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. This popular run typically welcomes more than 800 participants on the morning after Thanksgiving. But alas, that’s a couple hundred too many for 2020 to handle, so instead the run has gone virtual. And again, that’s OK! This gives participants more time and more locations to support this great cause. Runners anywhere around the world can register to participate online from Nov. 25-30 and run your own 5K or stroll for 1.5 miles. Anyone, anywhere, can register and all the proceeds go directly to the Diller Home. Early participants can even still collect their T-shirts, which will be available to pick up at the Avalon Welcome Center on Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10am to 3pm.
And following your socially distanced turkey feast with family, head to bed, because there is actual FUN planned in both towns!
Stone Harbor celebrates the annual Island Holiday with the return of the Holiday Market both Friday and Saturday at the Water Tower Parking Lot. Stroll through the market and partake of food and drinks, crafts and shopping amid some of the summer’s most popular Farmers’ Market vendors. While shopping, be sure to grab your Stone Harbor Holiday Beach Tag for the 2021 season, on sale from 11am to 5pm Friday and Saturday. And grab the family and sign up for the scavenger hunt hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Dash through town searching for hints and clues and win prizes along the way!
Just a few miles north, it’s Festive Friday in Avalon, featuring a variety of live music, children’s performances, ice sculpting and fun crafts. Keep an eye on your tree bid and shop your gift list while enjoying the sounds of the Corner Boys Holiday Show, plus children’s performances including Mystic Drums, Lolly & YoYo, and Jungle John’s Jurassic Journey. The Winter Wonderland Band will also join the festive sounds at the 21st Street pavilion. Plus, there are horse and carriage rides for families, and photo opportunities throughout town!
A number of giveaways and surprises are in store throughout the day Friday, and don’t go home early! Line the length of Dune Drive from 32nd to 21st Street and wave along as Santa Claus and his favorite friends and characters help to Light Dune Drive. And the fun isn’t over yet! Once Santa heads off, families can head east to the 30th Street parking lot at the beach for a Drive-In Movie featuring “Elf” at 6pm.
Believe it or not, the day/night continues! Stone Harbor’s celebration continues late into the night with the popular Merchants Hospitality Night on Friday from 6-9. Enjoy holiday shopping, music and refreshments as you stroll along the town’s festively decorated stores.
Day 1 down, on to Day 2.
Stone Harbor’s Island Holiday continues into Saturday with the second day of the Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees, hosted at the Women’s Civic Club of Stone Harbor, plus a variety of photo opportunities and a full second day of live music and performances. And fear not, while Santa and Mrs. Claus won’t be able to ring in the holiday for the annual Stone Harbor Christmas Parade – 2020 gave that a hard no – keep an eye out for the famous couple on Saturday evening because word has it that they will be making a lively appearance!
Avalon’s Snowfest Saturday continues with a second chance to purchase your Avalon Holiday Beach Tags at the Rescue Squad and enjoy another day of activities.
See authentic strolling carolers throughout town, the return of the Corner Boys Holiday Show, and the musical stylings of the Sleighride Band. In between the acts, families can enjoy children’s performances including the “American Heroes” Show, the “Journey to the North” show, live ice sculpting and the magic of Chad Juros. And if you have just enough energy to continue your weekend just a little bit longer, you can once again head to the 30th Street parking lot at the beach for another Drive-In Movie, Jim Carrey’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
And there you have it. A safe, fun and festive celebration. Avalon and Stone Harbor have worked very hard to provide a variety of family-fun activities and to allow for a safe and healthy holiday cheer. Please be sure to mask up, follow guidelines, and social distance, and have a happy holiday season!
