IT SHOULD HAVE SNOWED
Well here we were again, getting ready to have the Red Bank tree lighting
that has gone on now for over 9 years in the downtown district and for the
last 8 years here in the Arts and Antique District. Last year we combined
our Santa Express with Tim McCloone’s Holiday Express uniting both sides of
town and creating one ceremony.
Santa Express was the brain child of Elaine Sorless a number of years
ago. We start in Little Silver with 2 hundred kids and adults getting on the
train with Santa and riding with him to Red Bank. At that point he gets off
the train and we had bagpipers and bands. Lots of holiday singing on a stage
in the station and the children get to meet and talk to Santa and Mrs.
Santa.
Last year we merged with River Center and the downtown tree lighting
featuring the Holiday Express Band. We got off the train and with bagpipers,
trolleys, fire trucks, Santa and about 500 people we marched to Broad
Street. We got there a little early and the downtown tree lighting was
running a little late. It all worked out well in the end but next year we
were going to time it better.
And boy did we plan it. No less then 5 meeting took place to put everyone
on the same page. The timing would be perfect; Santa Express would arrive at
6:35 in Red Bank. A half hour performance of Christmas carols and prizes
would be given out. Sky lights were going to light up the sky and travel
with us on our march downtown….and then came the rain predictions. Rain,
lots of it was heading our way.
Both sides of town were holding their breath as we set up for the day.
The stage downtown was more vulnerable with large electrical systems and
sound equipment. We had a piano…mine….an amp and speakers on our stage. The
rain started on queue at 5:45. First it was a drizzle and proceeded to get
heavier. At 6:00 our dancers took the stage and in wet dancing shoes, some 5
feet tall some as small as 2 feet, braved the rain and danced to Christmas
songs. Pat Menna and the rest of us held umbrellas over the piano that was
covered with black plastic as the piano player played under it without
seeing his hands.
We got word at 6:25 that the downtown event was canceled. We had 200
people in the station and 200 people on the train coming to Red Bank. The
show must go on. Santa arrived at 6:35 to 20 bagpipers playing in the rain.
Santa and the crowd came off the train and marched to the stage. Umbrellas
covered Mr. and Mrs. Claus as he waved to the crowd. The rain got
heavier….nobody cared…it was the beginning of Christmas for 400 little kids
that stood in the rain to see Santa. That was what mattered. We spend the
next hour under the cover of the railway station while the kids smiled and
talked to this future bearer of gifts.
Everyone was soaked from kids to bagpipers…we had a good time regardless
of the rain. All I could think of was that it should have snowed. It would
have been easier. There is always next year.
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