Madison's Holiday Traditions

MADISON, NJ - As the holiday season approaches its zenith, we here at Patch thought it would be worth looking at how Madison celebrates.

One cannot think of holidays in the Rose City without thinking about the annual tree lighting in the center of town. And of course the families of Madison visiting not only their places of worship, but frequenting their downtown businesses.

A relatively new and popular tradition in Madison is the scavenger hunt through local businesses to find Rosie the Reindeer. But at the core, when speaking to residents in Madison it is the time with family that is the one unshakable constant in town. That is something that Mayor Robert Conley would certainly agree with, as he told Patch he grew up in a family of 11.

But Conley focused on a Christmas memory from December of 2012, his first year as mayor, that stood out to him.

"I was getting ready to leave the Mayor’s office when I looked out the window. There was snow on the ground as I looked across to Santa’s house where families lined up to see Santa Claus, all ready to share their Christmas wishes. I then looked over the railroad tracks where I could see the beautifully lit Christmas tree, standing in the center of our great downtown. It was at that moment that it hit me, I had been given a great gift; the honor to serve as Madison’s Mayor," Conley said. "Now in my seventh year, I never get tired with this view, nor the great holiday traditions in Madison; the parade welcoming Santa on the day after Thanksgiving, Santa’s house and village put together with loving care by the Toto family, the lighting of the Menorah for Hanukkah and decorated lamp posts which spread cheer throughout the downtown. Yes, the holiday season is very special in Madison, and I always make it a point to go across the street to thank Santa Claus."

(Photo of the view from the office courtesy of Robert Conley)

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