Carolers to ride through town

FREEHOLD - Tune up those vocal chords and get ready to sing out the joy of the holiday season.

The Freehold Center Partnership as part of its winter event programming has slated a new program for this year's holiday season - a caroling hayride. This Americana holiday tradition with a new twist will be hosted Dec. 21 beginning at 7 p.m. and running through 9 p.m.

Participants will meet at Main and Court streets by the Christmas tree in front of the Monmouth County Hall of Records. Groups will queue up to board a hayride wagon and will travel through downtown and other areas in the borough as they sing Christmas carols and other holiday songs. They will be led in songs by members of the Princeton Garden Statesmen Barbershop Quartet.

According to Rich Beck, (a barbershop quartet member as well) who has coordinated the talent for the evening, participants will be led in song as the wagon winds its way through Freehold Borough.

During the ride the revelers will get to view the winning homes that participated in the borough's house decorating contest.

Hot cocoa and hot apple cider will be distributed to those people awaiting their turn on the wagon as well those returning from their ride.

Freehold Center Partnership Executive Director Jayne Carr said, "We are excited to include this new event in our holiday programming. Preliminary interest in the caroling hayride has been high and we look forward to providing attendees a fun-filled night."

According to a press release, this event marks the last program in a yearlong activity schedule arranged by the partnership.

The partnership along with its sponsors The Court Jester, Jersey Central Power and Light, 94.3 The Point, CentraState Healthcare System, the Metropolitan Café, Barter- Pays!, Comcast, and NetCentric support a full slate of programs for the community.

This year's programs included Antique- Fest, the Dine Around event (showcasing area restaurants), musical concerts, the Freehold Idol contest, Kruise nights, and a full and varied winter holiday program schedule.

For more information on this or other upcoming events, contact the partnership at (732) 462-3584 or visit www.freeholdcenter. com.