WESTWOOD—With a cheery “Season’s greetings,” the Borough of Westwood and the Westwood Recreation Department tell Pascack Press they were “thrilled to be gifted the honor of leading the preparations for the 2023 Home For The Holidays Parade held on the beautiful evening of Saturday, Dec. 2.” Westwood Recreation Director Gary Buchheister writes on the borough’s behalf…
Working with long-time organizer Mike Fitzsimmons (former president of the Westwood Chamber of Commerce) and his merry band of elves including Rusty Miller, Jim Gines, Roberta Hanlon and the team at Celebrate Westwood, the Borough presented a parade [see photos on Facebook] that was one of the best attended in recent memory with more than 50 participating groups from across Westwood and the Pascack Valley.
This year’s parade and pre-parade activities included two choirs, three dance troupes, three DJs, five bands, 10-plus scouting troops, 13 classic cars, one WRMS middle school girls soccer league championship team, one WBA 10U baseball championship team, and the first-ever Group 2 State WRHS champion football team, as well as representatives from veterans groups, service organizations, local schools, and businesses.
Hosting a parade that attracts several thousand people to downtown Westwood is no small feat (this year’s estimate is 10,000!) that’s why we need to take a moment to appreciate the efforts of the Westwood Police Department for coordinating street closures and safety protocols with NJ Transit and Bergen County Department of Transportation as well as inviting police motorcycle divisions, honor guards and associations, including the Bergen County Police Pipe and Drums Corps; and
- The Westwood Public Works Department for getting the streets camera ready and for decorating the Community Center, Veterans Park and downtown Westwood;
- The Westwood Parking Authority for pitching in and getting the parade route ready for the crowds;
- The Borough Administrator’s office for coordinating the delightful holiday characters who took time to meet with young fans along the parade route;
- Student volunteers from the Westwood Regional High School National Honor Society who served as information guides during parade line-up, carried banners, supplied fans with glow-sticks, checked in parade participants and more;
- The Recreation Department staff including Michael Lara, Margaret McDonough and RoseAnn Ciarlante who together handled the registration process and pre-parade preparations;
- Recreation Advisory Board members Angelo Pira, Bermari Roig, Holta Xhillari, Eric Dougherty, Tim McDevitt, Jennifer Scardino and Yash Risbud for manning their stations along the parade route and offering support throughout the planning process,
- Richard Frant/Frant Visuals for documenting the evening including the pre-parade activities at the Westwood Free Public Library and the post-parade concert given by the Westwood Community Band;
- The business owners on Westwood Avenue and downtown who worked to decorate their storefronts and stock their stores for the enjoyment of residents, visitors and patrons;
- The homeowners on Roosevelt Ave., Lexington Ave., Bergen St. and Harrington Avenue who proudly welcomed the parade line-up with beautiful decorations and offers of assistance;
- and, of course, Santa’s best pals from the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, who not only lent Santa their sleigh but who also planned for the big man in red to meet and greet children at our historic bandstand.
By working together, these borough departments, volunteers and businesses ensured that the picture-perfect evening went off without a hitch and that everyone involved, participants and spectators alike, had an enjoyable and memorable evening.
As the song goes, “There’s no place like home for the holidays,” and that was evident by the smiles and warm greetings seen all night long as friends met along the avenue and in the park but especially when Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made their way to the bandstand for the tree-lighting!
Along with Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo, Council President Beth Dell, and Councilmembers Rob Bicocchi, Eric Collins, Anthony Greco, Cheryl Hodges, and Chris Montana, we wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to a wonderful 2024 filled with more exciting community events and programs.
Happy holidays,
Gary Buchheister
Westwood Recreation director