
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Chamber of Commerce 2021 Downtown for the Holidays event was different this year due to an abundance of caution over COVID19 the tradition tree lighting countdown was dropped. Planning for the event began mid-summer when there was still a great deal of uncertainty over the virus. The Ridgewood Chamber assures us they looks forward to restoring the traditional elements of Downtown for the Holidays in 2022. If you couldn’t make it Scott Lief did a fantastic job hosting the Downtown for the Holidays TV broadcasting live on Facebook for the event .
This year’s theme of “Trucks on Holiday” is for the young and young at heart! Village vehicles will be on display and decorated for the holidays, on both the east side and west side of the Central Business District. Visitors strolled through the pedestrian tunnel at the train station, to easily enjoy all of the events. S’mores at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, music and merriment on the streets, the “Grinch” made an appearance , the RHS Marching band played, Santa toured the streets , and the trackless train ride made its run.

East Ridgewood Avenue was closed down to vehicles from North Maple Avenue to Broad Street beginning at 4:30 p.m., creating a pedestrian plaza. The west side parking area at Garber Square, was also be closed to vehicles. Large crowds enjoyed local businesses and eateries before, during or after this annual event.
The tree was lit at 5 p.m., as the festivities began at 6:30. All in all three trees were lit, the large 65-foot tree on the East side in front of Stella’s, a second tree on the West side, and the tree in Memorial Park in Van Neste Square that is always there, but only decorated for the holiday season.
Outstanding event and I love the new format. My kids were never into standing in a crowd, listening to suites talk. (Seemingly) impromptu chores and dancers were a highlight. They made Ridgewood look like a cozy small town from 70s movies, perfection!
Only wish there was a clean up crowd early this morning picking up after the festivities. Masks, Huntington business cards, coffee cups and broken candy canes littered the sidewalks this morning still at 11am.
Great event, a lot of fun.
Yes as a business owner I cannot believe they did not have a sweeper crew come in and sweep up in the CBD because there’s litter all over the place.
The police are using all the overtime money.