Father Christmas

In Frenchtown New Jersey, Père Noel (Father Christmas) will stroll into town on Saturday, December1st, to kick off the 2007 holiday shopping season.
In December, Frenchtown, N.J. already a quaint Victorian river town, will again transform itself for the holidays, but this year with a decidedly French flavor. Shop lights are lit for the holidays, windows are dressed and Père Noel, (aka Father Christmas, the classic French Santa) will greet children of all ages on the porch of the Book Garden on Bridge Street, courtesy of the Frenchtown (N.J.) Business and Professional Association (FBPA). In France, children fill their shoes with a carrot and hay for Père Noel’s reindeer. The reindeer food is exchanged during the night with gifts. Père Noel is often seen traveling with Pre Fouettard. He is the one who lets Santa know who has been naughty or nice.

In Frenchtown, young children can tell Père Noel their holiday wishes, and adults can find lots to make the season merry all through the town! Père Noel will stroll about town beginning at 3 pm and be at the Book Garden from 4-5 pm on Saturday, Dec.1, 2007. And at 5 pm that day, there will be the traditional lighting of the Frenchtown tree at the corner of Bridge and Harrison, in front of TD Banknorth. The tree is sponsored by the Masons and the town decorations are a joint project of the Frenchtown Lions Club and the FBPA. And that evening, beginning at 6 pm Frenchtown’s newest gallery, the Netherfield Gallery at 39 Bridge Street, will host its grand opening with holiday refreshments. All are invited. A number of businesses will remain open until 7 that evening. Come join other revelers for a very special day.

Throughout December, building on the highly successful “Shopping Just Got Better” program last year, the FBPA will again sponsor holiday entries for a prize drawing in January. This year’s winner will receive a weekend shopping “stay and shop” package, with a local B and B stayover, meals, spa packages and valuable gift certificates and merchandise. Entry forms (one for each $25 spent) will be available throughout the holiday season at participating stores.

Directions to Frenchtown and other information about Christmas events can be found on www.frenchtown.com.

For additional information, contact Cleo Sharplin, President FBPA (908 996-9000); or, Jessie Krause, Chair of the Christmas Event (908 996-2358)