Girl Scouts, Firefighter and Veteran Will Lead Parades

Each year, residents from River Edge and Oradell line the streets for their respective Fourth of July parades to cheer on friends and family that are participating while also honoring that year's Grand Marshall. This year Oradell will celebrate two milestones: 100 years of Girl Scouting and a 50 year fire department member. River Edge is honoring all military veterans by having one of their own lead the march.

Leading the parade in Oradell will be members of Oradell Girl Scout Troop 805 and Troop 1517 and joining them will be OFD member and Ex-Fire Chief Chuck May. 

Girl Scouts was formed in 1912, when founder Juliette Gordon Low formed the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah, Ga. To commemorate the occasiona, President Barack Obama signed the "Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act" for the 100th Anniversary celebration. The act authorized the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women influenced by Girl Scouting during the last 100 years. took part in the November "Bridging" Ceremony on the George Washington Bridge while attended a special Mass at St. Joseph's Church in their honor in March.

May has as a member of the borough's fire department having served as Third Lieutenant in 1967 and became an Exempt member in 1969. After serving through ranks as lieutenant, captain and assistant chief, Chuck was elected Chief of the Department for three years in 1974. He was elected President for 1982 and 1983, received a life saving award from NJ/NY Volunteer Fireman’s Association for the rescue of a woman from a building fire at Ridgewood Road and Kinderkamack Road. Chuck also received citations from the Oradell American Legion, Oradell Mayor & Council and President Reagan for the rescue. He served as member of the first Little League team, coached Oradell Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for about 15 years; served nine years on the Oradell Recreation Committee, served about 17 years on the Oradell Planning Board, four years as Chairman, and he has been an active member of the Oradell Lions Club and an Oradell Councilman for almost eight years.

River Edge Grand Marshall Robert Levine was among the World War II heroes honored at the French Consulate on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on the 65th anniversary of V-E Day — the day Germany surrendered to the Allies.

Levine, at age 19, was a mortar gunner with the 90th Infantry Division that landed at Normandy's Utah Beach. He was later captured by German soldiers at Foret de Mont Castre; injured during the battle he had his right leg amputated just below the knee. Levine is the borough's National Organization Disability representative.

Oradell Parade

Participants in the Oradell Parade, which starts at 9am on Oradell Avenue at Third Street, proceeding west to Maple Avenue to Ridgewood Avenue to Kinderkamack Road to Oradell Avenue to Prospect Avenue to Park Avenue, are split into two divisions. The first division features the Oradell Police, Borough Council, Oradell Fire Department, New Milford/Oradell Ambulance Corp, local Ambulance Corps and neighboring fire departments and antique cars.

The second division includes the Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troop 36, veterans and local clubs along with the Bergen County Players, Master Lee's Tae Kwon Do students and the Hawthorne Caballeros Sr. Drum and Bugle Corps.

Oradell residents are invited to the Grove at Memorial Field for ceremonies and games for children following the parade. Boy Scout Troop 36 will be selling hot dogs and beverages during and after the ceremonies

River Edge Parade

River Edge starts its parade at 11am from the intersection of Wayne and Bogert Avenues and proceeds to the reviewing stand in Memorial Park.

This year's participants include several bands such as the Tri-County Piper Band, County Armagh Pipers Band, Oklahoma Wrangler Country and Western Band. 

Also marching will be members from the Army Air Force Historic Association, Rusty Relics, Knights of Fire, River Edge Women's Club, Little League, Boy Scout Troop 184, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW, River Edge Repubicans and Democrats, vehicles from the River Edge Car Show, River Edge Cultural Center, River Edge Volunteer Ambulance Service, the borough's Fire Department, Knights of Fire Motorcycle Club, and both the Oradell and New Milford Fire Departments.

Following the Fourth of July Parade is the Family Fair at Memorial Park, 12:30 to 4:30pm with amusements for children provided by Moonwalk Entertainment, a face painter and a tatoo artist. The Jumpin Dragons Band will provide Classic Rock. Food by the AOH and beer by the Knights of Columbus.