Craft Show Highlights Busy Weekend in Freehold

It will be a busy and fun weekend here in Howell now that the holiday season is underway and the Colts Neck NJROTC is getting into the spirit with a special fundraiser at two local bookstores.

The Polar Express will be arriving at the Barnes & Noble Route 9 locations in Howell and Freehold at 7 p.m. There will also be a showcase by the Colts Neck High School Naval JROTC from 5:30 until 8 p.m. including a visit by Santa, chances for children to do crafts and gift wrapping to help with purchased presents.

Colts Neck High’s own Harmonicats will also be performing. The money raised will benefit the Howell SEPAC, the Ashley Lauren Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House and Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Also on Friday St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church will be hosting a Christmas Carol Festival starting at 7:15 p.m. Weather permitting the event will start with a lighting of the church’s Christmas Tree and should run until around 9 p.m.

On Saturday the Freehold Borough Arts Council will be hosting an arts and crafts vendor show and historic church tours at the First Presbyterian Church. The fun starts at noon and runs until around 5 p.m. The Bethel AME Church will be hosting its second of three shows as part of their Holiday Concert Series at 7 p.m. This weekend’s show is the Behtel Jazz Trio with the help of some local singers. The third show in the series is set to start at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Jewish Heritage Museum is scheduled to host a performance by international pianist Gil Sullivan on Sunday at 7 p.m. His show will include Brahms, Mozart, Chopin and Julian Cochran. Proceeds will benefit the Cecilian Music Club and the museum,. The performance will be followed by a reception with Sullivan.