Santa Parade Begins This Thursday at Woodbridge Center

Santa Claus is arriving at Woodbridge Center this Thursday, accompanied by an entire entourage and a mall-wide parade.

It's going to be the biggest parade the mall has ever had to launch the holiday season, said David Albertson, senior marketing manager for Woodbridge Center. 

“We feel this parade will lift the spirits of the community and shoppers alike with the terrible situations taking place over the last week or so due to the storms," he said.

The festivities start at 7 pm on November 15 at the lower level of the mall.

With Iselin's JFK Memorial High School Marching Band providing the music, the holiday parade will include costumed characters, holiday entertainers, the Avenel Detachment Marine Corps League, a local Daisy and Brownie Troop, and several store mascots, including the Chick-Fil-A cow, said Albertson.

“This year, more than ever, we are going to make Santa’s arrival as exciting as we can.” said Albertson in a statement. “It’s a yearly tradition for our community and retailers and each year we do our very best to make our holiday season experience bigger and better.” 

Children and families will be able to meet a host of holiday friends, both past and present, at Santa's Workshop, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, and they will be able to take photos with him. Other characters include Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Gingerbread Boy, Santa’s Elves, favorite TV characters and the Knights and Court members from New Jersey’s own Medieval Times dinner show. 

While in line for Santa, children can use five interactive stations to make snow, design wrapping paper, count gifts for Santa, create candy canes and make a wish into the Wish Tree at the ‘My Wish portal', Albertson said.

“Woodbridge Center is a family-focused community shopping center. We support and embrace the community with local events and partnerships throughout the year. Having the opportunity to give the community a great Santa experience is special," he said.

"I mean, where else in the entire state of New Jersey can you make it snow in a mall? This really highlights what the holiday spirit is all about.” 

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