American Idol winner Ruben Studdard headlined "Christmas in the Capitol City"
TRENTON - American Idol winner Ruben Studdard and several local artists took the stage Saturday evening at Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson's free Christmas concert.
"Ruben was phenomenal, the local artists were phenomenal," Jackson said. "Everyone was coming up to me saying they had a great time."
Although admission was free, donations were welcome and part of the proceeds earned each year go to an area charity. This year the money will be donated to HomeFront.
Jackson said Sunday the money had not yet been counted but he expected to have raised $2,500 for HomeFront.
He said he also expected there were around 1,300 people who attended the show.
Local artists Modern Demand Dance Company and Lethel "Showtime" Brooks played while Elder Carl Jenkens and Bishop E. Earl Jenkins hosted the event.
The Capital City Mass Choir even performed alongside Studdard, the second-season winner of the hit reality singing competition.
"Christmas in the Capitol City" - sponsored by Jackson's foundation Moving Trenton Together - was held at the Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial.
Along with the artist performances, Jackson said Moving Trenton Together honored five local individuals for their outstanding community leadership - U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman, student leader Daytwan Coates-Hall, David "Poppy" Sanderson, Adam Blackstone and longtime Trenton activist Juan Martinez, who died in May.
Martinez's family accepted the award in his memory.
Moving Trenton Forward over the past year has focused its efforts on helping the city's youth, seniors and community engagement.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.