It’s that time of year in Madison again. On November 24, Madison kicked off their annual Christmas traditions with the well-known Christmas parade.
Thousands of viewers come from all over the state to sit, stand, and cheer for different floats. These floats are sponsored by clubs located at Madison High School, local landscapers, marching bands, businesses and shops, and many youth groups throughout town. Of course, taking up the rear is the one and only Santa himself. The parade marches down Main Street leading everyone to the massive tree located at the center of town. It ends with a countdown, and the lights on the tree illuminate the night sky.
Christmas time is more than just a parade and the lighting of a tree. It’s a time of giving and festivities. Children can visit Santa, see elves hard at work, and take a picture on his sleigh in front of the train station. November 24th also marks the beginning of the annual “Rosie The Rose City Reindeer” scavenger hunt. Council member John Hoover announced the start of this month-long, Christmas-themed kids’ scavenger hunt. The goal is to find and collect as many “Rosie the Reindeers” as you can, inside participating stores and businesses. The hunt ends with a Grand Prize Drawing that will take place live on December 18th on ILoveMadisonNJ Facebook Page. For anyone interested in taking part, participation cards can be picked up at Tons of Toys and Madison Pharmacy. These cards will further explain details and the stores that are involved.
More important than any scavenger hunt or Santa meeting is the yearly Madison Eagle Christmas Fund (MECF) charity. The MECF began 50 years ago when Barbara Valk and Louise Easton partnered up to help deliver holiday gifts to only a small number of senior citizens. The charity has grown to help provide families in need with meals, winter coats, and gifts to give out on Christmas. In 2023 the MECF is setting goals at new highs. This year they are looking to raise $75,000, to support Madison residents. If you’re interested in donating please visit this link. The town also runs a Toys for Tots holiday drive. Toys are donated, collected, and distributed to families who may not be able to provide their children with what they want. This year, the Madison toy drive will be delivering all donations to the Goreyeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown and Summit, as well as to needy children in the Madison area. If you’re interested in donating, toys are currently being collected at the Public Safety Complex, which is located at 62 Kings Road, in Madison.
Christmas time in Madison is a special time of year. The community embraces the spirit of giving and never fails to spread joy. You can truly feel the excitement in the air as December 25 draws nearer and nearer.