The 54-Foot Tree Lighting in Ridgewood Honored a WWII Vet’s Legacy and a Beloved Community Leader!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Enduring Legacy of the Biancardi Family Tree. On December 5th, the Village of Ridgewood kicked off its 40th annual Christmas Tree Lighting, illuminating a magnificent 54-foot evergreen that carried a deep, decades-long local history.
This year’s centerpiece was donated from the yard of a home at 348 Cedar Avenue—a tree planted in 1948 by Romano Biancardi, the home’s builder, and his son, Albert Biancardi. It was a wedding gift to Albert, a World War II veteran and longtime principal at Fort Lee School No. 2, and his bride, Nicoletta.
For 77 years, the towering evergreen stood as a silent witness to the family’s life. Linda Biancardi, Albert’s daughter, who grew up under its shadow, recently returned to the property to say a final farewell, collecting pine cones and branches as sentimental keepsakes.
Linda Biancardi: “Learning of the people who I didn’t even know who also loved the tree and came out to express it was truly special in its own way.”
The tree’s journey to the center of the village highlights a series of poignant December milestones for the family: her parents’ wedding (Dec. 26, 1948), her mother’s death (Dec. 20, 1996), the engagement (Dec. 23, 1996), and the final sale of the family home (December 2024), all culminating in the tree becoming the Village centerpiece this December.
courtesy of the RHS Marching Band
Downtown for the Holidays: A Community Effort
The annual tree lighting is the dazzling centerpiece of the “Downtown for the Holidays” celebration, organized by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. The festive night transforms the Central Business District with:
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An appearance by Santa Claus.
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Live music and dancers.
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S’mores stations and fire pits.
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Trackless train rides for families.
The Logistics of a Giant Tree
Finding the perfect tree is a year-round effort for the Village’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Nancy Bigos confirms trees are meticulously inspected for “health, symmetry, accessibility, proximity to power lines and traffic impact.”
For 15 years, Downes Tree Service, owned by Kevin Downes, has generously donated the essential services of cutting, transporting, and decorating the massive tree. It takes a specialized team, including Victor Martinez Sr. and Jr., and Tom Youmans, days of careful work to adorn the evergreen with an estimated 10,000 lights.
Dedicated to a Village Pillar: Honoring Tony Damiano
This year’s 54-foot tree, now standing illuminated at the intersection of South Broad Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, carried an emotional dedication.
The 2025 tree lighting honored Tony Damiano, the founder of the Ridgewood Guild, for his years of dedicated service and relentless efforts to promote and revitalize the village’s Central Business District.
Mayor Paul Vagianos summed up the communal pride of the event, stating, “Rockefeller Center’s got nothing on this place.”
The Village of Ridgewood’s annual tree lighting is far more than just flicking a switch—it’s a deep community tradition, uniting local history, family memory, and dedication to civic service.
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Why cut down a perfectly healthy tree in town? Hope they got a permit….
At least one post like this every year, your shitty attitude increases your stress level and will likely shorten your life-span. Merry Christmas!!