This season’s holidays offer plenty of music, good cheer and opportunities for togetherness. The Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage invites you to experience it all as it hosts its “Seasonal Traditions” holiday program at East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway. These special events, all free of charge, will be held at the Village from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.
Scheduled activities include:
Children’s Craft Session: 2-3 p.m.
Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are invited to make two special winter-themed crafts. First, create a delicious-looking design with our paper gingerbread house. Then, make a snowman friend, who will help you count down to Christmas. Move the snowman’s carrot nose each day in December to mark the date. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Horse and Carriage Rides: 3-6 p.m.
In this year’s new event, guests are invited take a ride back to the 19th century, and enjoy the views of Johnson Park from a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage will depart every 15 minutes. Call ahead to register for a time slot.
Music by Mary Roth: 3-4 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Mary Roth will perform songs related to Hanukah and other aspects of Jewish culture. Roth is an accomplished musician who will incorporate the dulcimer and the bouzouki in her performance. Roth will sing in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English.
Songs of Christmas by Spiced Punch: 5-6p.m.
The vocal quartet Spiced Punch will perform traditional Christmas carols, while costumed in reproduction 19th-century garb. The group features David Emerson, Stacy Roth, Marianne Tucker and Tom Tucker, performing on strings, recorders, tin whistles and concertinas.
Refreshments will be served from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required for each activity. Please call 732.745.3030, ext. 310. Guests may choose to register for any combination of the day’s programs. The Village will open at 1 p.m. and a guided tour will be given at 1:30 p.m.
East Jersey Old Town Village is located at 1050 River Road in Piscataway inside Johnson Park. This program is offered free of charge, but registration is required. To register online, send an email to culturalandheritage@co.middlesex.nj.us
Persons with hearing disabilities may dial 732.745.3888 (TTY users only) or 711, the New Jersey Relay System. In case of inclement weather, call 732.462.8262. An Assistive Listening System will be in use during programs. An American Sign Language Interpreter can be provided with a two-week advance request.