PARK RIDGE, N.J.—The cheers and applause that answered the fireworks’ final splashes, sizzle, and high flying thump, whump, kaboom! were the first reviews of the 125th Anniversary Picnic and Fireworks June 8 at Davies Memorial Field and the high school field.
On Facebook, residents soon wrote, “Awesome day—great job to all who volunteered” and “Great job by all. Thank you, it was a wonderful day.”
Our Lady of Mercy Academy posted, “We had a wonderful time being part of the Park Ridge Picnic, looking forward to next year!” PKRG-TV congratulated the Recreation and Cultural Committee, directed by Liz Falkenstern—council liaison is Kelly Epstein—“for pulling off another great event.”
In addition to picnic-perfect food and drinks, there was a live band all day, new rides including Vertical Rush, Obstacle Course, Ferris Wheel Combo, and a train, a dunk tank, petting zoo.
Colors the Clown made balloon animals. Sunshine Face Productions of Montvale painted faces. Marc’s Deli manned the barbeque food tent.
Community tables anchored free services and giveaways, with new games, contests, and surprises galore!
Pie contest winners were Grace Ramagnano for her no-bake Samoa cookie cheesecake pie (first), Desiree Misciagna for her strawberry rhubarb pie (second), and Emmie Wagner, for her chocolate cheesecake pie (third.)
The judges were business owners Bobby Meidanis (Ridge Diner in Park Ridge, Momma’s Kitchen in Montvale, and Village Grille in Waldwick) and Regina Davis (Regina’s Sweet Temptations in Park Ridge).
Festivities culminated at 8 p.m. in rousing fireworks and DJ music at the Park Ridge High School field.
In turn, the Recreation Department thanked TD Bank, the Park Ridge Education Association, Wegmans of Montvale, the Spine and Health Center of New Jersey, and premier sponsors Aeon Fitness and Gymnastics, Chestnut Ridge Pediatric Dental, Cyclebar Montvale, Emerson Animal Hospital, Kinetic PT and Acuwellness, K Rico Steakhouse NYC, Neglia Engineering Associates, Park Ridge Animal Hospital, Pet Supplies Plus, Robert Spearing Funeral Home Inc., NorthJerseyPromos.com, and The Smile Stop.
More to come
The best part: The borough is just getting started. The Recreation Department’s annual concert series begins Thursday, July 18 with Abe Ovadia (jazz) and continues on Thursdays at 7 p.m. until Aug. 8. (See Pascack Press’s full lineup of the Pascack Valley area’s summer concerts.) Falkenstern said she will announce many more events all year.