“RIDGEFIELD PARK, THE ONLY PLACE TO BE ON JULY 4TH SINCE 1894”

The Ridgefield Park Fourth of July Citizen’s Committee, with days left to the July 4th celebration, has completed the preparations for the 112th consecutive parade. We are proud to be able to continue this tradition for the Village of Ridgefield Park.

7:30am on Tuesday July 4th, 2006 is the bomb blast / flag raising by Boy Scouts at the Memorial Plaza Euclid Avenue and Mt. Vernon St. This is the official start of the July 4th celebration. Many children are roused from their bed so that they can prepare for the Youth Parade.

All Fire Department Personel and their equipment are inspected by out of town Fire Officals. Depending on their final scores, they are presented with trophies at the end of the afternoon Parade

9:00am at the corner of Poplar Street and Euclid Ave the Youth Parade begins with the singing of our National Anthem by Marion Troise.

This year’s Theme for the Youth Parade is Mardi Gras but, patriot themes are also the theme of the day. There is a division for decorated bicycles, so get out the crepe paper and flags and add color to your bike.

Selected Honor Students from the schools in Ridgefield Park will be presented to those present at this Parade.

Queen- Annabelle Shin (8th gr. RPJR/SRHS)

Prime Minister- Brian Schiess (8th gr. St Francis School)

Lady in Waiting- Mary Faddoul (8th gr. St Francis School)

Usher- Sagar Shah (8th gr. RPJR/SRHS)

Honor Escorts- Alexandra DeLong (7th gr.RPJR/SRHS)

Matko Illic (7th gr. RPJR/SRHS)

Robyn Schreiber (7th gr. St. Francis School)

Jason Pello (7th gr. St. Francis School)

Pages Sawson Boutemine (6th gr. Lincoln School)

Luis Torres (6th gr. Lincoln School)

Carlos Mieles (6th gr. Roosevelt School)

Jane Lee (6th gr. Roosevelt School)

George DeFeis (6th gr.Grant School)

Theresa Sheen (6th gr. Grant School

Flower Girls Cassandra Cruz (2nd gr. Lincoln School)

Melissa Atkinson (2nd gr. Roosevelt School)

Kate Verdejo (2nd gr. Grant School)

Train Bearers Wassim Boutemine (2nd gr. Lincoln School)

Johnny Noriega (2nd gr. Roosevelt School)

Brian Rehrig( 2nd gr. Grant School)

Crown Bearer Christopher Marquez (2nd gr. St. Francis School)

All Baby and Youth Parade awards are given out at the end of this parade.

Special Award for the Youngest Baby from Ridgefield Park at the Parade.

11:30am at Hudson Avenue and Preston Street the Main Parade begins.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Joseph Villanella. Mr. Villanella was nominated by the Ridgefield Park Seniors Club. He has been a 49year resident of Ridgefield Park. Being quite active in the Village, he served on RP Board of Health for 40yrs., a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus Council #2229, and a member of RP Senior Club for 20yrs serving as it President for 7yrs. Joe served in WWII aboard the USS Chatilain,DE 149 for 2 ½ yrs. During the war he was awarded the “Presidential Unit Citation”, the “Battle of the Atlantic” citation from Great Britain, and also earned five Battle Stars. Mr Villanella and his late wife Ethel were married for 62 years and have two children Joseph Jr. and Fran.

The Program Cover Design Contest Winners 1st Place- Sonia Sunny-10thgrade RPJRSRHS and 2nd Place-Priya Panchal

There will be 10 bands, Civic and Fraternal organizations, Cheerleaders, School Floats, Boy and Girl Scouts, Karate Schools, Hawthorne Caballeros, and Time Warner Cable. That’s just a few, come to the parade and see the rest.

The parade ends at Brewster Park. Main St./Route 46. awards will be given out.

7:30pm- in Veterans Park the Evening Program begins with jugglers and stilt walker entertainment, Reminsce Band (Doo-Wop), the National Anthem sung by Robert Bannon, and at darkness the fireworks display that is enjoyed by Village residents and visitors

Advance Tickets - $3.00 (12years and older, under 12 free ) at Village Clerk’s office Municipal Building 234 Main St. to 1pm July 3,2006.

Gate Tickets $5.00

Rain Date Saturday July 8, 2006
For information, call 201-641-4950 ext. 638 0r 639

Home and Business Decorating Contest applications forms are available at the Municipal Building. To enter the contest you must be registered. Deadline is June 29th at 12noon

Out of Town Judges will be viewing the entries on July3rd after 8:00AM.

Awards for Most Patriotic, Most Attractive, Most Creative and Most Original will be presented to the winners at the Ridgefield Park Board of Commissioners Meeting Tuesday July 11, 2006 at the Muncipal Building