Local Artists Create Historic Landscape for the Santa Train

An artistic backdrop with a historic twist will welcome Santa Claus into Freehold Saturday afternoon thanks to the Freehold Borough Arts Council (FBAC) and Freehold High School art students.

The annual Santa Train, presented by the Freehold Borough PBA and Conrail, has been a Freehold tradition for over ten years. But this year, the FBAC will be introducing a mural into Saturday’s festivities that will become apart of the annual tradition.

“The mural, is based on a photograph of West Main Street in the 1930’s from my personal collection,” said Jeff Friedman, President of the FBAC. “It [the mural] will sit behind Santa’s throne and will act as a beautiful backdrop for picture taking."

15 advanced art students under the direction of Freehold High School art teacher Dan Finaldi, and project manager Richard Berger, who is a local artist and a FBAC council member, have worked on the mural for months. Friedman explained that planning took two and half months and painting took over a week.

"We are so happy that we are able to help the Freehold Borough PBA by incorporating an arts aspect to the wonderful Santa Train event they sponsor annually," said Friedman. "It is also always a joy to work with Dan Finaldi and the advanced art students of Freehold High School."

The annual Santa Train event will begin at noon in front of the The Freehold bus station and will continue until 2 p.m.

After the Santa Train the FBAC hopes that the Freehold Borough PBA will continue to use the mural for many years to come.