Super Bowl Events Coming to Ridgewood in 2014

Ridgewood is looking to cash in on the football gravy train, dreaming up events that will attract Super Bowl crowds to the village in 2014.

More than 100,000 people are expected to descend upon the area for the 2014 Super Bowl, hosted at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, Feb. 7.

Being one of two officially designated towns of interest by the Super Bowl Host Committee (the other being Montclair), the village council has formed a committee of about 20 citizens to create events that could attract tourists from around Bergen and Rockland County.

Committee member John Saraceno said the citizen committee thinks an event similar to the annual "Winterfest" could be effective next year. It might even take place over a three-day period (Thur-Sat), he said.

"If we could accomplish some of it, I think it would be a great showcase for Ridgewood to shine for two or three days in February of 2014," Saraceno told the council.

Separately, former NY Giant Jeff Feagles will also work on bringing Giants players to the village, Saraceno said.

The NFL host commitee has not pledged any money, according to the committee member.

While Ridgewood's planning efforts remain very much in the infant stages, the potential is "exciting," Mayor Paul Aronsohn said. 

"A couple hundred thousand people will come to the area for a week, which is a great opportunity for our businesses and restaurants," he remarked, adding it could also be beneficial to non-profits and local children.