BY MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS
FOR PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD—Westwood’s Home for the Holidays celebration made a triumphant return Saturday, Dec. 4 — a spectacular and mild evening with a huge turnout. More than 30 groups marched and rode down Westwood Avenue as thousands of people lined the street to watch the parade to Veterans’ Memorial Park. Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus assisted in the lighting of the tree.
[Mayor Ray Arroyo estimates 8,000 attended from up and down the Pascack Valley; see his remarks on Page 2.]
Delighting children of all ages were marching bands; many outstanding floats; fire trucks decked with lights; clowns; dancers; and the Westwood Community Band.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Frontline Heroes,” saw floats and marchers thanking our first responders and essential workers for the sacrifices they have made to protect all of us.
Many floats stood out, including Santa’s workshop and his dancing elves, Whoville, and a holiday animal hospital.
The organizations that contributed to the parade’s success spent many hours in preparation and we sincerely thank each of them.
Adding to the fun, Westwood was visited by Frosty the Snowman, Chase and Marshall from “Paw Patrol,” the Grinch, and the Westwood Cardinal mascot.
The children’s favorites, as always, are Mrs. Claus, who read “The Night Before Christmas” at the bandstand, and Santa and his reindeer atop the fire truck.
The event could not safely take place without the dedication and extraordinary efforts of the Westwood Fire Department, Westwood Police Department, Westwood DPW and the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Additional support from surrounding towns was provided by The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the police and reserves from the Fort Lee police motorcycle unit, The Blue Knights, Northvale, Emerson, Woodcliff Lake, Hawthorne, and Bergenfield.
We thank all the department heads and staff for their help.
The costs associated with the bands, floats, and entertainment were sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health at Pascack Valley, the Westwood Recreation Department, the Westwood Chamber of Commerce, the Borough of Westwood, Pascack Press, Celebrate Westwood, Westwood Heritage Society, Westwood For All Ages,Valley Bank and many other local businesses.
Thanks also to all our friends who helped us plan and coordinate the festivities.
Special thanks to WWPD Chief Mike Pontillo, Deputy Chief Jay Hutchinson, Lt. Rich Antonacci, Lt. Mark Foley, Lt. John Hurtuk, Ptl. Dorfman and Ptl. Sestanovich, Rick Woods, Westwood Recreation, Gary Buchheister, Michael Lara, and the Westwood Public Library.
We thank those who volunteered many hours coordinating the parade: Rusty Miller, Jim Gines, Lauren Letizia, RoseAnn Ciarlante, Karen Hughes and Yash Risbud.
Edward Murtagh, Madison Ayer, and Zachary Menzella wore costumes.
Teen volunteers were Jorge Eichler, Colleen Saunders, Elizabeth Gisler, Marta Bystrowska, Julia Dahdah, Cassidy Orbe, Amanda Burns, Emily Gorham, Isabel DiFabio, Alexa Burke, Kayla Imbriale.
Richard Frant/FrantVisuals professionally documented all the festivities. Some of his photos are on Home for the Holidays Facebook page.
Joni Mitchell put to song the saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” This year’s celebrations reminded us to count our blessings, not only in this season but every day.
We wish you all happy holidays and look forward to seeing you at next year’s Home for the Holidays, the first week of December.
— For the Home for the Holidays Committee; Richard Frant/@FrantVisuals photos