Sizzling Centennial Continues July 4 Tradition

It was a soup-to-nuts bash as Ridgewood repped the red, white and blue on a hot July 5 day.

The village's 100th Independence Day celebration yesterday was marked with dancing Betsy Rosses, Fallin' Angels and singing Dolls. 

Beginning with a solemn flag ceremony, continuing with a diverse parade and concluding with an entertaining evening show—capped by fireworks—Ridgewood continued its 100-year tradition.

"This day is what America's all about," Mayor Keith Killion said.

Before parading through town, Republican Congressman Scott Garrett offered the new mayor a ceremonial token at the flag raising.

"Every morning I walk down the street to the U.S. Capital and see Old Glory flying above," he said, as he presented the mayor with a flag that flew from the rotunda. He credited Killion and all public servants for sacrificing their time and energies for their fellow citizens.

Garrett and Killion joined local representatives County Executive Dennis McNerney, Deputy Mayor Tom Riche, Councilman Paul Aronsohn, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh, Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein, and Board of Education Members Sheila Brogan, Robert Hutton and Laurie Goodman in the parade through Ridgewood's hot—and newly paved—streets.

Willard, Orchard, Ridge, Somerville, Hawes and Travell elementary schools also offered expertly crafted floats, fashioned by parents from each school's Home and School Association.

Countless local groups—including Ridgewood Police, Fire, and EMS officials, the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, the state champion Ridgewood High School girls lacrosse team, the RHS Band, Ridgewood Boy and Cub Scouts, among others—processed from North Monroe Street through the central business district, past Village Hall and finishing near Graydon Pool.

A parade highlight saw each marcher pass under a gigantic American flag hung from two ladders from Ridgewood fire engines. Those twined ladders similarly welcomed visitors to Veterans Field for the evening's fireworks show.

Village rockers in the Dads' Night Band jammed through classic rock tunes at the band shell before Miss Patty's Dance Troop presented 13 tap-dancing Betsy Rosses. Hurling from the sky, five Fallin' Angels skydived with pinpoint precision, landing on the field. Singing group the Manhattan Dolls crooned Big Band standards leading up to the massive—and close—fireworks display on the other side of Vets Field.

Fourth of July Committee President Margie Downs thanked the countless volunteers and sponsors who made the centennial possible.

Speaking during the festivities, Killion thanked Downs, her volunteers and all the village employees who pitched in—including the fire and police officials who worked for free.

"As we celebrate our patriotism, I ask for you to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight to protect this country and the freedom we all enjoy," he said.

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