Two Northern Valley communities—Norwood and Demarest—held special town-wide celebrations kicking off the fall season in September featuring an array of food, games and fun for residents of all ages.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, a hot and humid day, Norwood residents showed up at Kennedy Field in droves between 2–6 p.m., many to attend the borough’s first Cornhole Tournament, which featured a variety of gift card prizes for winners in three age categories.
“It was a great event. We had a record turnout of people for our first-ever Cornhole Tournament,” said Mayor James Barsa, who praised the town’s 12th annual community celebration.
Prizes for Cornhole Tournament winners included a $400 Game Stop gift card, $400 Visa gift card, plus baskets with additional gift cards to Dimoras, Gerry’s Place and Ragazzi.
Barsa said approximately $32,000 was raised in donations to hold this year’s event and costs only totaled about $25,000, with the remainder available for next year’s event.
The 2019 Norwood Day featured “live music” from Kickin’ Nash, along with rides, face-painting, a fishing derby, and for youngsters a Touch-A-Truck experience, with vehicles from local police, fire, emergency services and public works on site.
In addition, he said about 1,300 free hot dogs were distributed, along with free birch beer. Other food and drinks were also available, including a beer garden and vendors.
‘Best town day’
“I believe we have the best town day in the area,” said Barsa, citing the bouncy houses, petting zoo and high-stakes Cornhole Tournament. “It’s just a great day in Norwood and everything went great, too,” he added.
Barsa said he helped kick off the community celebration day in 2007 and the day grows more popular and well-attended each year. He said Norwood T-shirts were ordered for free giveaway this year and ran out in under 30 minutes.
Barsa noted another 250 T-shirts were ordered for residents who missed out and should be available soon at town hall.
Hundreds of residents came out to Demarest Duck Pond on Saturday, Sept. 21, to celebrate Demarest Day, featuring a variety of kids’ rides, inflatable fun houses, games and prizes, food trucks, and an assortment of vendors.
The day’s highlight was a 125th anniversary celebration of Demarest Fire Department, topped off by an open house for residents to get a firehouse tour, and up-close views of modern fire apparatus as well as an original Mack fire truck once used by the department.
Councilwoman Janice Kurys, recreation commission liaison, said the celebration was “very, very well attended” with approximately 2,000 residents showing up.
“People were actually lining up for things for the first time that I can remember,” said Kurys, a longtime resident.
Kurys said the dunk tank was well-used due to the hot weather Sept. 21 and the fireworks at night “were a perfect way to round out just an awesome day.”
“We had a great day, great weather and a great crowd. We celebrated the fire department’s anniversary, had a party and then topped it off with fireworks that night,” said Mayor Melinda Iannuzzi.
Iannuzzi especially thanked local Recreation Commission members for their hard work and dedication in making the annual community celebration a success. She thanked sponsors and noted residents seem to enjoy the annual community gathering more each year.
“It seems that every year the crowd gets bigger and bigger,” she added.
She noted Demarest has had a regular community celebration the last three years in a row after going for years without such an event.