Each December, the Somers Mansion in Somers Point hosts its Christmas Market, which has become one of the property’s most visible community events. The market features dozens of vendors, seasonal activities and opportunities for visitors to tour the historic home, which for many years remained largely inaccessible to the public.
The event is organized by Patriots for the Somers Mansion, a nonprofit founded in 2018 by local resident Greg Sykora. His involvement with the property began when he observed that the state-owned property had fallen into disrepair.
“The state of New Jersey was basically letting the building — the mansion and the property — become derelict,” Sykora said. After offering to help identify grant opportunities, he was told the state wouldn’t provide any grants.
Sykora formed the nonprofit to support basic maintenance and restoration. Early fundraising came partly from performances by his horn band, the SSPs, and initial projects included painting, re-stuccoing and clearing overgrown areas.
The organization later received Officially Recognized Friends Organizations (ORFO) status from the state Department of Environmental Protection, allowing it to partner officially in efforts to maintain the property.
As improvements progressed, the group worked to bring residents back to the grounds. A weekly farmers market was introduced in partnership with organizer Rob Hopkins, providing consistent activity and a source of revenue for ongoing repairs.
“This made it so that it was generating some income for us to be able to do bigger and better things for the facility,” Sykora said.
The idea for a Christmas Market emerged soon after, encouraged by Cindy and Bob Fertsch, publishers of Shore Local Newsmagazine and founders of the nonprofit Heart of Surfing. The first market featured about 25 vendors, hot chocolate, live music and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. It also opened the mansion’s interior to hundreds of visitors. According to Sykora, about 500 people toured the building that year, many noting it was their first time inside.
Now, five years later, the Christmas Market has expanded to about 70 vendors and has become one of the nonprofit’s primary annual events. The market raises funds for preservation projects while increasing public awareness of the mansion’s history and ongoing restoration work.
The Christmas Market is designed as a family-friendly event that welcomes visitors of all ages — something Sykora said is lacking in Somers Point, given the city’s focus on bars and nightlife.
The mansion itself is fully decorated for the season, with a lit tree adding to the festive atmosphere. Attendees can enjoy food trucks, scenic views overlooking the bay and plenty of accessible parking with multiple entrances. Music is provided throughout the day, featuring local musicians performing Christmas carols, adding to the warm and inviting holiday vibe.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., carefully scheduled to complement the city’s evening parade. The Somers Point Historical Society contributes to the decorations and lighting, highlighting the collaborative effort between local organizations to create a memorable and inclusive community experience.
“We wouldn’t be having [the fifth anniversary] if it wasn’t for [Cindy and Bob] and their dedication and their wanting to give back to the community. So we seriously appreciate their efforts,” Sykora said.
He said the goal remains consistent: to maintain the historic structure, increase community engagement and ensure that Somers Mansion continues to serve as a public asset.
Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @juliatrain on Instagram.
