RIVER VALE—When River Vale gathers for its town-wide celebration on Sunday, Oct. 5, one new tradition will greet residents at the gate: a commemorative poster by sophomore artist Yi-An Jin, chosen to capture “the spirit of River Vale Day.”
The idea, from Social & Cultural Affairs Director Amy Salib with support from interns Alison Garcia and Skylar Fay, aims to place the arts shoulder-to-shoulder with the day’s longtime stars—sports, robotics, food, and live music.
Garcia, a Pascack Valley High School senior, assisted with coverage of the event, while Fay, who graduated in May from George Washington University with a psychology degree and a minor in fine arts, focused on River Vale Day planning. Salib said Fay’s eye for art and aesthetics was pivotal in shaping this year’s poster contest and chili cook-off.
Jin, a former River Vale Schools student now at Bergen County Academies, says last year’s event provided the spark. “I realized that the only thing able to glide over the sea of noise and people was the live music playing at the time,” she wrote. “The way almost everyone was enjoying the music made me truly grateful for its presence. In my opinion, art is a way to express much about the environment surrounding the artist, and the music that was playing was bright, joyful, and energetic. That is what I believe the spirit of River Vale Day is: a sense of community, playfulness, and peace, as well as a time to put aside other worries and enjoy the small things, such as good music.”
The winning poster, printed at 12 by 18 inches, will be given away to the first 350 visitors at the Township booth, where Jin will meet residents and sign copies as River Vale Day’s inaugural guest artist. Her prize includes 20 silk-cover posters for family and friends, a $100 gift card courtesy of Platinum Sponsors River Vale Farmer’s Market, Balloon Chica, and DART Computer Services—and a plaque signed by Mayor Mark Bromberg.
River Vale Day, at Mark Lane Sports Complex, rain or shine, began as a chance for town agencies to meet residents and has grown into a showcase of local talent: cheer performances, the Pascack Valley Regional Dance Team, The Rockers, culinary fun via the chili contest, and hands-on tech with the Pascack Pi-oneers [Team 1676]. In recent years organizers added a cover band with an opening set by the PV Panthers band, anchors of the day.
While River Vale Day originally launched as a fundraiser for local sports teams, it has evolved into a much broader celebration of community life, drawing neighbors together for arts, athletics, food, and live performance.
New this year: the Guest Artist tent and the River Vale Volunteer Tree Decorating Committee craft station. The committee—neighbors who dream up a secret theme for the Van Saun Winter Wonderland tree—will enlist visitors in making crafty elements for this year’s entry, all in the friendly quest to win a free skate day for River Vale.
Local businesses also build little “worlds” inside their tents—games, crafts, puzzles, and challenges—so each year feels familiar but never the same.
