Boro in Lights brought sparkle, magic and Christmas spirit to the Rowan and Glassboro communities.

Held on Friday, Dec. 4, the yearly event included a tree lighting, photos with Santa, horse and carriage rides, ice sculpting and a live nativity scene.

A parade of firetrucks— with Santa on the last firetruck— filled High Street and circled around to Victoria Street where the featured spruce fir was located. Santa, the Grinch and a firefighter were lifted to the top of the tree using the ladder on a firetruck. Once at the top, Santa used his “magic touch” to light the tree and threw a handful of gold glitter.

“That was my favorite part, getting to see Santa and looking at the lights,” said sophomore radio, television and film major Julia Kantner said.

The lighting of the Christmas tree brought smiles to quite a few people at the event.

After the tree lighting, Santa posed for photos on Rowan Boulevard on an inflatable chair, while students from Glassboro High School and the Boys and Girls Club sang Christmas carols. Dancers from LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studios performed on Victoria Street to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” and other songs.

Coordination for Boro in Lights started several months before the event, according to Colleen McGrath, a member Rowan After Hours (RAH) who assisted with the planning. It started with sending out advertisements to the local community to ensure people would attend.

“We wanted to make sure we were as organized as possible when we’re doing one of these events,” McGrath said. “We [wanted] to branch out to the community,”

People filled Rowan Boulevard during the event looking at the decorations and checking out the street vendors, as King’s Church handed out candy canes and cookies to passers by.

“The way it looks, it’s a time of holiday spirit,” McGrath said. “I think my expectations have been exceeded. I think the whole thing is great.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Rowan students, faculty, and the Glassboro community all gather this year at Boro in Lights to celebrate the holidays. -Justin Fata/Photo Editor

– Featured image: Santa arrives on the firetruck to light this year’s Christmas Tree. -Justin Fata/Photo Editor

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