Red Bank Holiday Express Concert Scrapped Due To COVID-19

RED BANK, NJ - Considered by many to be the official start to the holiday season in Red Bank, the 28th annual Holiday Express concert has been officially scrapped for 2020 due to COVID-19 health concerns.

“While the 2020 season might not look and feel as it has in the past, we felt this was the best way to keep our commitment to those who have come to depend on us, while protecting the safety of those we visit and our volunteers,” said founder and musician Tim McLoone in a statement.

The holiday tradition, which attracts thousands of attendees to the borough each year, typically features an interactive holiday-themed "musical extravaganza" led by a team of volunteer professional musicians. All proceeds and donations of food, money and gifts are donated or purchased at discounted prices. Holiday Express serves those with mental and physical challenges, veterans, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the isolated, the poor, the homeless, and children with serious illnesses, according to the organization's website.

"Holiday Express has served the most vulnerable in our community for 27 years. In 2020, the worldwide pandemic presents even greater challenges for the men, women and children we serve, and we are fully committed to continue to deliver the gift of human kindness to those desperately in need and often forgotten," the nonprofit wrote in a statement. "The 100 shelters, soup kitchens, and special needs programs who have come to depend on us to brighten the holiday season will experience the Holiday Express magic in a different and safe manner. We are disappointed that we will be unable to be there in person, but we recognized that it was critically important to ensure the safety of the clientele and staff of the programs and of our Holiday Express volunteers."

In lieu of the event, festivities for 2020 include Adopt An Event, where sponsors can pick an organization that Holiday Express “visits” and make a monetary donation to offset expenses for gifts and food. Red Bank residents are also invited to participate in Holiday Express-themed collection drives.

However, as reported by Red Bank Green, while the Holiday Express concert won’t be arriving to Red Bank for its scheduled Nov. 27 performance, a tree lighting ceremony at Riverside Gardens Park is still on the holiday calendar.

Some more good news: at an October meeting, the Red Bank Borough Council approved free parking throughout town on Nov. 27 and 28 for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, as well as Dec. 14 through Dec. 25 for seasonal shopping. Most recently, the council dashed hopes of the infamous downtown Broadwalk remaining open for the winter months. The outdoor shopping and dining plaza will take a winter hiatus after Nov. 30.

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