NEWARK, NJ – Camacho & Son Float will join with North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. and a long list of supporters and contributors to host the annual Holiday Light Parade and Tree Lighting on Mt. Prospect Avenue in Newark’s North Ward.

The parade, on Friday, November 30th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will travel from Verona Avenue to Second Avenue and will feature festively decorated holiday floats designed by students from local schools.

This year’s expanded parade route will conclude at Common Thread Park (next to the Fine Fare Supermarket), which will be transformed with brightly illuminated decorations.

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The Tree Lighting celebration at Common Thread Park, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., will feature free photos with Santa Claus, face painters, entertainers, Christmas carolers, hot chocolate and holiday candy.

The North Ward Center, one of the key supporters of the Holiday Light Parade, is partnering with Mt. Prospect Partnership to decorate the park.

Common Thread Park is the first in the city to complete renovations and improvements using Green Acres funds made possible by city voters, who approved a ballot question in 2013 to establish an Open Space Trust Fund. The trust generates more than $1 million annually to acquire, develop and maintain parks, neighborhood playgrounds and ballfields in Newark.

Ramos sponsored that resolution, which was passed unanimously by council members. In addition to daily maintenance and this year’s holiday initiative, Mt. Prospect Partnership has activated the park as a welcoming public space with programming that includes a popular yoga class. The Partnership has also worked with Ramos to establish a three-year workplan covering 2018 through 2020.

Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger León said that the Holiday Light Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony symbolize the greatness of the citizens of the North Ward and all who reside throughout our great city.





“We cannot do the work of bettering the community alone. We must do it together. This partnership during this holiday season is evidence of the willingness of the people to do just that,” León said. “The children are the future of this city. They are the light. They are the way.

Together, the schools will continue to work with organizations, local leaders, residents, and business owners on behalf of the children to make our city a beacon of hope.”

Carmen Camacho, of Camacho & Son Float Service, noted that some of the students work on their floats at their schools with their art teachers while others come to work on their floats at her company’s studio. The floats can take up to two weeks of non-stop work to prepare for the event.

“Last year was a beautiful experience working with the students, teachers, principals and parents,” Camacho said. “Work has already started on this year’s floats and we are looking forward to the event.”

Mt. Prospect Partnership Executive Director Chris Bernardo expressed gratitude to the many contributors to the continued success and growth of the event, including Councilman Ramos, Jr., Wells Fargo, ARJ Civic, Clara Maass Medical Center/RWJBarnabas Health, The North Ward Center, Alvarez Funeral Home, Bloom & Bloom LLP, Evco Mechanical Corporation, Felix Lopez Montalvo, Hillcrest Management, Protective Measures Security, Saraceno Inc. and Trenk-DiPasquale.

