This is unofficial, but it appears that Timmy O’Shea of Morristown was Santa’s final visitor on the Morristown Green this year.
Photographer Bill Lescohier stopped by Tuesday night as Mr. Kringle was preparing to close up shop and return to the North Pole for some rather important business later this week.
The lines were gone and Timmy got to deliver his list without having to rush. Approximately 2,500 others got there first over the last four weekends, according to Jen Wehring of the Morristown Partnership. But if anyone can handle last-minute requests, we’re betting on the man in the red suit.
Tuesday night also marked the season’s last run for the holiday train that has looped the Green approximately 600 times since Nov. 27.
Santiago Caballero was the engineer and conductor of the electric train, provided by Simply the Best Inflatables of Fairfield.
The season’s last passengers — again unofficially– were the Hicks family of Summit: John and Marcia, and their children, Abigail and James. Family members have been visiting the Christmas Festival on the Morristown Green for 20 years.
Jen estimates that 6,000- to 6,500 people visited the festival this year, on par with last year. They came from all corners of New Jersey, she said. Ex-pats from across the U.S. “call to ask if we still decorate the Green.”
Ninety-seven Christmases have been celebrated on the Green; the last nine festivals have been organized by the Morristown Partnership. The merriment costs about $125,000, which is contributed by sponsors and private donations.
It was a lot of fun, as always. Thanks to the Partnership and everyone who made it happen.
A big thank you to all who made this wonderful Christmas time event come true for another year, our own Morristown Partnership and its staff, and all the sponsors who have so kindly and generoulsy donated.
The holiday season is for everyone to enjoy, young and old alike. The decorations in and around the Green looked spectacular….Morristown is a special place and I’m proud to be a part of this community.