By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
Some may scoff at the idea of Christmas in July but it’s not just retailers who find pleasure in celebrating the yuletide in summer.
Although many people think it was an idea dreamed up by retailers to boost sales in the middle of summer, according to Real Simple magazine, legend says Christmas in July was first celebrated at a summer camp in 1933. That’s when Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina dedicated two days – July 24 and 25 – to the holiday and celebrated with cotton fake snow, a decorated Christmas tree, gifts and Santa Claus.
For those in the Two River area who just can’t wait for December, there are places to deck the halls and enjoy the holiday spirit.
The members and friends at Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC) know how to celebrate Christmas in July. The group that has supported businesses and the community for 100 years has rechristened its annual beach outing: Beach Bash on the Navesink…Christmas in July. It will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, at the Red Bank Elks Lodge, 40 West Front St., Red Bank. Decorating the lodge’s backyard over- looking the Navesink River, the setting will be a perfect place for a Christmas party – weather permitting.
Although they have hosted a “beach bash” every year, this year the chamber – which serves Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls – had the opportunity to hold it near the water. (A Christmas in July beach bash was planned for summer 2020, but was canceled due to pandemic-related concerns.)
“Everybody loves the holidays,” said Jennifer Eckhoff, executive director of EMACC. “Last Christmas was such a blah in 2020,” she said, citing COVID-19 safety restrictions on celebrating in the usual way.
“We thought, let’s give people a chance to get out, enjoy our beautiful area on the water and celebrate the holiday in shorts,” she said.
Festivities will include a bonfire, dinner, drinks and dancing and live music by local resident and Country Music Association artist Lauren Davidson.
“We’ll have surprise appearances by a seasonal character or two,” Eckhoff said, “and we’ll bring in a full-size Christmas tree.” Guests can “purchase” decorations for $5 or so – Christmas balls in differ- ent colors – to hang on the tree. “The proceeds will benefit Lunch Break in Red Bank.” Tickets are $40 for EMACC members and $50 for future members. Walk-ins are welcome but registrations are preferred. Visit emacc.org for more information.
You may think A Time to Kiln, a shop at 50 Broad St. in Red Bank where you can paint your own pottery, is a kids-only place, but this month it’s featuring an adult Christmas in July workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24.
“We’ve always had Christmas in July, except for last year,” said Wendy Jones, owner of the Red Bank shop. “And we always start with an adult night and in the middle of summer moms need a little break.”
In a shop adorned with a few Christmas decorations, including festive light-ups, guests can choose to paint vintage, wonky or gnome trees.
“This year, especially, we all need a distraction and this is something fun to do.”
The two-hour workshop is popular and filling up quickly. “I think people are getting vaccinated and feeling comfortable coming out to a group setting,” said Jones. “It’s a fun and creative environment.”
For more information, visit atimetokiln.com.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas – July or otherwise – if there weren’t activities for children. On Tuesday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 28, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., families can enjoy the Christmas spirit at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.
There will be photos with Santa, strolling entertainment and more. Christmas shows will take place at the Pavilion Beach Stage at 4 and 6 p.m. With admission to the Jenkinson’s Aquarium, a diving Santa will entertain at 3 and 7 p.m. each day. Visit jenkinsons.com for more information.
Bob Clark of The Fir Farm in Colts Neck celebrates Christmas in July and all year, albeit it’s a working celebration. “Summers we are definitely very busy at the Fir Farm caring for the gardens and Christmas trees and prepping our Trees for Troops campaign coming up later in the year,” he said.
Each year, The Fir Farm, which has been growing Christmas trees for 40 years, holds a Trees for Troops weekend in December when customers can purchase and donate a tree for a military family. The national Trees for Troops program has delivered some 160,000 trees to military families in the U.S. and to troops stationed overseas. Tree growers and individuals around the country donate the trees, while FedEx provides the shipping for them.
Like a lot of people, EMACC’s Eckhoff said, “I love Christmas. Why not do it twice a year?”
This article originally appeared in the July 15 – 21, 2021, print edition of The Two River Times.
