SOUTH ORANGE — The Irvington Avenue Corridor Advisory Committee will cap off its inaugural year at a tree-lighting celebration Friday, Dec. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., by celebrating both the holidays and the new name for the Irvington Avenue corridor: Seton Village.
“When choosing the Seton Village name for the Irvington Avenue corridor, the committee tapped into lots of community input, including a web-based public vote,” said Doug Zacker, South Orange resident and IACAC chairman. “The tree-lighting is the culmination of all the work our volunteers have done to beautify the Seton Village neighborhood and make it a destination for shoppers, restaurant-goers, Seton Hall University students, and neighborhood residents alike.”
The celebration will be in and around the pocket park on Irvington and West Fairview avenues and will feature arts and crafts for children, refreshments and music, including a performance from Seton Hall University’s a cappella group, The Gentlemen of the Hall.
At around 6 p.m., youngsters from the Baird Community Preschool will warm up the crowd for the lighting of the 20-foot tree that borders the park, as well as for the evening’s special guest, Santa Claus, who will also be available for photos.
As part of the occasion, a number of Irvington Avenue restaurants will feature special offers and discounts, including 15 percent off all non-seafood menu items at Inkosi Cafe, 20 percent off all menu items at Guanaticos, and 15 percent off the check at University Subs.
A new logo was developed to support and promote Seton Village and will soon be seen on banners hanging on gas lamps on Irvington Avenue between Prospect Place and Seton Place. Design for the logo was provided by ITO, which also designed the South Orange Village Center Alliance logo.
“We are all part of the same wonderful South Orange community so we wanted a logo that is unique but related to South Orange Village Center. ITO did a great job of helping us get to that vision,” said Michael Baldwin, chairman of the IACAC’s marketing subcommittee.
The tree-lighting celebration is sponsored by South Orange Village, the Irvington Avenue Corridor Advisory Committee and the Seton Hall Student Government Association.