River Vale Town Day ‘A Great Success’

TWO COOL! Residents Nora Quirk and Lily Levison, both 4, said they loved exploring the fire truck at Town Day, Oct. 13. | Photo by Danielle O'Brien

RIVER VALE, N.J.—Town Day on Sunday, Oct. 13 delivered more than treats and games—it was a high-flying showcase of community.

And it served up a marvelous Third Annual Bake-off to boot.

Organized at the Mark Lane Sports Complex by the Social and Cultural Affairs Department, and sponsored in part by The Estate at Florentine Gardens and Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center, the event earned rave reviews online.

Residents hailed it as “a great success” and “the best day ever,” and from what we saw that’s well deserved.

Tall Scarecrow debuts this year. With her are Keira Wymbs and Julia MaCewen, 11, of Hillsdale. | Photo by Danielle O’Brien

Inflatables, pumpkin decorating, face painting, robotics, Raiders in action, crafts, police and fire department gear and swag, empanadas, Legos, community tables, slime, a “bucking bronco,” hair braiding, bubble tea, stilts up to here, a petting zoo (did you see the ducklings?) and more made for a day out not to be missed.

IT COMPUTES: Pascack Pi-oneers show off a robot.  | Photo by Danielle O’Brien

The bake-off awarded ribbons for winning entrants up to 15, and 16 and older. Champions are, for children, first place Roman Rodrigues for his mini cheesecake; second place Bria Boothe; third place Freja Jepson.

Adult winners were first place Kristen Myers for her vanilla pumpkin spice cake, second place Beverly Messina, and third place Melissa Messina.

Judging after contestants submit their favorite dessert. | Photo by Danielle O’Brien

The Social and Cultural Affairs Department welcomes any residents to assist or join its growing committee. If you would like to help out with fundraising, shopping, baking, coordinating events, or developing new programs, drop them a note.

The department also welcomes community service volunteers. If you, or any high school aged students you know, are interested in getting community service hours from the township,  email the Social and Cultural Affairs Director. 

For more information visit rivervalenj.org.

— John Snyder, with art by Danielle O’Brien