Red, White and Ridgewood

TARA MASTERSON AND Leigh Gilsenan Saltiel have called Ridgewood home for their entire lives. Each summer, the Fourth of July brings back cherished memories of the town’s time-honored celebration. Since 2012, the two have been dedicated members of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee, working behind the scenes to ensure the festivities continue to reflect the traditions that generations of residents have come to love.

Thanks to their commitment—and that of the entire committee—the Fourth of July remains a vibrant part of Ridgewood’s community spirit. Here’s a closer look at how they keep this celebration going strong.

Tell us about your committee.

It’s a private, all-volunteer group—it’s not part of Village government and receives no funding from the Village. It was initially formed in 1910 and typically comprises 10 to 12 members. Tara Masterson (President), Chris Raimondi (Vice President), Schuyler Saltiel (Treasurer) and Leigh Gilsenan Saltiel (Secretary) are the current board members.

What’s involved in making the Independence Day parade happen each year?

The parade is truly an entire community effort. As a committee, we ensure the day is as organized as possible so all the participants and spectators can enjoy a smooth-running event. We coordinate with various Village departments and community groups to ensure the route is safe, clean and festive. We check for potholes, trim trees, hang flags and provide water stations during the parade—the list goes on and on. We hire the bands, performers and specialty vehicles to perform in the parade, and we ensure all the participants know where to line up and know the rules for everyone’s safety. We also coordinate our volunteers for various tasks—setting up breakfast, coordinating the flag-raising ceremony, judging the annual school float competition, acting as Parade Marshals, staffing the water stations and helping with clean up at the end of the parade route. We also put together event schedules and print the banners highlighting our season’s sponsors. One member volunteers as a treasurer. Some of us work on putting together the contracts and agreements with the bands, and we do a lot of community outreach.

When do you start planning the parade and fireworks each year?

Planning for next year has already begun! We try to stay true to the heart of the tradition, but we are always looking to improve and enhance the celebration. We aim to make the day memorable for everyone, especially the kids. We fell in love with the day as kids and want every child who attends or participates to have the same lifelong love for the celebration.

What are some of the best spots to see the parade?

It all depends on what is best for your family! The parade’s beginning has

a bit more shade; watching along Ridgewood Avenue with the backdrop of the American flag hung proudly over the road makes a fantastic backdrop for photos. Maple Avenue near Village Hall is where our announcer is stationed, so you’ll get more insight into all of our parade participants. It is tough to beat the crowd and energy along the end of the route as you head down Linwood Avenue. There isn’t a bad spot!

What if it rains?

The parade is rain or shine! Show up early to secure your spot, bring chairs, bring water, wear sunscreen and please keep your children and feet out of the roadway; we want to make sure it is safe for everyone involved.

What’s involved with managing the fireworks?

We work with various Village departments—Police, Fire, Parks, Sanitation, Signals and Streets—to ensure the event space is clean, safe and ready for the spectators. We also coordinate with multiple vendors, including Grucci (our fireworks vendor), and local food and drink vendors, including MacMurphy’s, who will host a beer garden. We organize the bands and performers for the stage show before the fireworks. We’re especially thankful for our volunteers who work at the entry gates, sell 50/50 tickets, and more to ensure the event goes smoothly.

Where is the best spot to see the fireworks?

Veteran’s Field behind Village Hall. Tickets are sold in advance and at the gate. The rain date is July 5th. We suggest buying tickets in advance and, if possible, walking to the event to avoid the traffic!

For more information on tickets, please visit our website: ridgewoodjuly4th.com.

BY KRIS PEPPER