photos by Boyd Loving
July 5th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, It takes a lot of effort to host a parade and fireworks ,the Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee who oversees yesterdays 106th annual Independence Day celebration in Ridgewood had its first meeting way back in September.
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee, a private all-volunteer group. The Committee is not part of the Village government and receives no funding from the Village.The Committee, was originally called the Ridgewood Independence Day Association, was formed in 1910.
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee was up at the crack of dawn to deliver water to the parade route, put markers at the staging area and set up for a volunteers’ breakfast that starts at 7 a.m. Groups lineup around 8am .
Ridgewood’s parade has over 100 groups that march in it and, together with a fireworks display in Veterans Memorial Field later that night, and can cost over $100,000 . Security and the fireworks themselves are some of the biggest costs, with all of the money for the celebration coming from ticket sales, business sponsorships and private donations.
And of coarse in Ridgewood in time honored tradition , eager residents begin reserving spots along the parade route weeks in advance marking their spots with folding lawn chairs.
thank you to all those that donate their time and make this another special Ridgewood tradition.