BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. —— Frosty the Snowman had plenty of company this year! On the evening of Dec. 8, under a wintry ebony sky, the Englewood Cliffs Recreation Department hosted its annual Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting Celebration.
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The parking lot of Englewood Cliff’s Community Building became the setting for an elaborate winter jubilee. Over 300 Englewood Cliffs residents and their families flocked to the festival, where they enjoyed ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts and music.
There were also delicious treats for everyone; hot chocolate and trays of cookies were set up on tables, and volunteers dispensed cotton candy and pretzels from a refreshment stand.
And, of course, there was a special visit from Santa. The merry old soul was driven to Englewood Cliffs by the volunteer fire department. As soon as Santa emerged from the fire engine with Mrs. Claus and an elf, a throng of children cheered and flocked to greet him.
There was a beautiful aura provided by the musical performances. The Englewood Cliffs Upper School Chorus, led by Tara Adrignola, sang together with the EC Upper School Band, led by Jason Wysocki. The selection of songs represented many cultures and religions – “African Noel,” a traditional African folk song; “Dreidel Spin,” a traditional Chanukah song; “Shalom Chaverim,” a traditional Hebrew folk song; “Dona Nobis Pacem,” a canon from Roman Catholic masses; as well as standard Chrismas favorites, “Silver Bells,” “Deck the Halls and “Jingle Bells.“
A popular attraction was the large ice skating rink. From the graceful gliding and sliding, you would never know that the surface was laid with realistic looking artificial “ice.” A number of residents brought their own ice skates, and there were also complimentary skates that could be borrowed for the evening.
On the other end of the festival area, children and their parents took turns riding around the nearby streets in a huge sleigh drawn by two Clydesdale horses that were specially brought in from Kafka Farms in Watchung.
The grand finale of the Winter Wonderland festival was the lighting of a large fir tree adjacent to the municipal building.
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The event was organized by Carrol McMorrow, the Englewood Cliffs council president and chair of the borough’s recreation department. McMorrow was assisted by Rashard Casey, recreation department director, and Catherine Steinel, the borough administrator.
“It’s so exciting to see this many children and families having a great time at this event that we’ve put together,” McMorrow said.
Englewood Cliffs Councilman Ed Aversa added, “I think it’s a wonderful event that was run beautifully, and it was even expanded this year.”
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The greatest kudos for the Winter Wonderland, however, came from the attendees, young and old. Reena Narula, an Englewood Cliffs resident who had brought her three children, said, “This is such a great event to bring our families and the community together. Englewood Cliffs really knows how to throw a party!”
Photos by Hillary Viders