Aclamación navideña de Weehawken's Oak Street

Residents of Oak Street in Weehawken have begun a month-long, nightly sing-a-long to spread some holiday cheer in their neighborhood.  They are calling it “25 Days of Clap Outs / Christmas Carols.”  It began last night at 7 o’clock.

According to resident Tara Padrone Gamble, the idea sprung to life last spring at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.  Neighbors on Oak Street began a 7 pm clap out to honor essential workers.  She says, “We brought it back for part 2 to spread cheer to essential workers during this tough holiday season.”

So, for 25 nights at 7 pm., residents of Oak Street will be singing a holiday song to bring some cheer to their neighborhood and as a way to once again thank essential workers for all they have done for the past eight months.  Each morning there will be a poll on the “Oak Street Honors Essential Workers” Facebook page to decide what holiday song will be sung that night.

Padrone Gamble says about 50 families participated when this was done back in the spring.  “Each night we honored a different group of essential workers.  We were surprised several times with township vehicles of essential workers who drove down the block to accept our cheers.  In June we had a clap out to honor the Weehawken High School class of 2020.  Last night was the first night and we sang “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Tonight’s song is going to be “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”  Just a simple way to say thank you and bring smiles to your neighbor’s faces.