the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, Oradell came alive with excitement as the community gathered to honor its very own Olympic gold medalist, 16-year-old gymnast Hezly Rivera. The town hosted a vibrant homecoming parade and festival on a sunny October day, drawing large crowds to celebrate Rivera’s incredible achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rivera, the youngest member of Team USA, returned home after winning gold with her gymnastics team. In her honor, Oradell closed its downtown streets—only the third time in the town’s 130-year history, according to Mayor James Koth. He praised Rivera as “a trailblazer” and “a true champion.”
Parade of Pride
The celebration kicked off with a lively procession along Kinderkamack Road and Ridgewood and Oradell Avenues, culminating near Oradell Public School. Cheerleaders, marching bands, and local police, fire, and rescue squads led the way, all paying tribute to Rivera’s remarkable journey from a local athlete to an Olympic star.
Grateful for the warm welcome, Rivera addressed the crowd, saying, “I’m thankful for all of your support. Thank you for coming out today and showing all of your love.”
Recognizing a Hometown Hero
Local, county, and state officials joined in the celebration, recognizing Rivera’s accomplishments on a stage set up outside Oradell Public School, the place where her talent was first discovered. But it was Rivera’s fans—young cheerleaders and athletes—who filled the lawn, eager to get her autograph and celebrate their hometown hero.
Christine Tenhoeve, who coached Rivera at Eastern National Academy of Gymnastics in Paramus when she was just five years old, said she wasn’t surprised by Rivera’s rise to success. “She was always very talented, even back then,” Tenhoeve recalled. “She stood out because she was so focused and hardworking.”
Family Fun and Festivities
The festivities continued at Memorial Field, where food trucks served hot dogs, wraps, hot pretzels, and other festival favorites while live bands played classic rock tunes. For younger attendees, a bouncy house and giant inflatable slide provided endless entertainment. Rivera’s father, Henry Rivera, even organized a basketball clinic for families to enjoy.
The sense of community was palpable, with residents like Robert Graham, a member of the River Dell High School Board of Education, expressing pride in the day’s events. “It’s an amazing day to honor Hezly and all the children of Oradell and River Edge for their accomplishments in athletics and academics,” Graham said.
Inspiring the Next Generation
For many young attendees, seeing Rivera in person was a thrilling experience. Liz Brettschneider, who attended the event with her 5-year-old son George, shared his excitement. “He was so excited because we watched the Olympics, and he couldn’t believe he was seeing an Olympian in person. He even got a little medal that they threw from the float,” she said.
Ten-year-old Sophia Julian was equally thrilled to see Rivera, excitedly waving back when the Olympian greeted the crowd. “It was so cool to see her,” Sophia said, proudly showing off her face decorations. “I’m looking forward to going to the food trucks next!”
A Day of Celebration and Community
The warm fall weather added to the magic of the day, as residents embraced one of the last sunny days of the season. Attendees reflected on the strong sense of local pride that brought them together. “It’s a special community event where we all come together to celebrate,” said Oradell resident Caroline Wichman. “You don’t see that a lot anymore, and I think today is a great reminder of how close-knit our town really is.”
Henry Rivera, Hezly’s father, expressed heartfelt gratitude as the festivities came to a close. “I want to thank each and every one of you that came to support Hezly,” he said, alternating between tears and smiles. “You don’t know how proud that makes me as a dad. Oradell will always be home, no matter where I am.”
Oradell’s celebration of Hezly Rivera’s Olympic success was more than just a parade—it was a testament to the town’s tight-knit community and its pride in one of its brightest stars.
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