Memorial Day Weekend

Posted May 24th, 2023 by Bergen County Real Estate Agent & filed under Bergen County Life, Things To Do.

Memorial Day Weekend is almost here. It’s the traditional start of summer so get your barbecue out and ready for cooking. While this is very true, we also know this:

Memorial Day Weekend is a time to honor our service men and women. That’s because without their sacrifice, we wouldn’t enjoy our freedom today. In addition, it’s even more important to remember those who didn’t come home. I can’t imagine what it was like for many families when 2 soldiers and a Chaplain came to their front door. That’s because this is how you were told that your loved one had died..

Do you remember growing up and going to your local Memorial Day Parade? Because this truly is small town USA, you’ll see your local neighbors marching. Antique cars filled with vets, fire engines, police cars, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies are all proudly marching. Please come out and support your local parade.

Here’s a list of all the Bergen County towns I could find. Some are missing because I couldn’t find any information. As a result you need to call up your town hall. Leonia is a good example. No link exists because the VFW and not the town is handling things.

In addition to Memorial Day Parades, there are other events going on too:

Saturday Food Truck Extravaganza

There’s a Food Truck Extravaganza at St Phillip’s Church in Saddle Brook (488 Saddle River Rd). This is a lot of fun no matter how old you are since they have an entire section dedicated to children.

Kids will have all sorts of bouncies, face painting, games and more. While that’s going on, adults can get a drink in the Beer Garden. 16 different gourment food trucks and over 30 vendor tables will be there at least. You’ll be entertained by DJ Music and, in addition, there’s live music too. Entry is $5 per person and this goes on from 11 to 7 on Saturday.

Carnival at the Garden State Plaza

From Thursday through Monday there is a major carnival at the Garden State Plaza. Admission is $5 plus the cost of ride tickets.

This is a fundraiser for a wonderful organization, Lead, where Police Officers partner with educators, town officials and families to keep kids away from drugs and to counteract bullying. Hours are 5 to 11 on Thursday and Friday. The rest of the weekend it’s 3 to 11.

Great New Jersey Science Show

The Great New Jersey Science Show has to be one of the most creative ways to teach science. Even if you didn’t like science in school, you’ll love this.

Slapstick Comedy for Science

They tell you it’s like Saturday Night Live for science because it’s basically a series of skits. Since this is aimed at children, it’s put on at their level. Children 6-17 get up on stage and teach using comedy and other light hearted methods all about science and how scientists work. Consequently, youngsters learn and appreciate science.

Since the idea is to open up science to a broader, more diverse young audience, having children teach you works. It’s happening again Saturday night, 8 pm, at the Ethical Culture Society in Teaneck (687 Larch Ave). Cost is only $10.

Ridgewood Run

The Ridgewood Run is a Memorial Day tradition. Since this is it’s 46th year, it’s long tradtion attracts hundreds of runners. This is also a USATF sanctioned run and one of the major Bergen County runs. You have everything from a kid run to a 10k. Registration is online and still open.

Birding for Beginners at the Tenafly Nature Center

Birding for Beginners is an exceptonal opportunity. That’s because the Tenafly Nature Center and Bergen County Audobon Society have teamed up for this. You will learn how to look for and identify bird types. It’s a good idea to bring binoculars if you have them too. This is a 2 hour walk and learn through the Tenafly Nature Center grounds from 10 to 12 on Sunday. Information and a link to register are online. .Since it’s an outdoor event, inclement weather will result in reschduling.

Teaneck’s Cedar Lane Family Festival

Teaneck has an amazing street festival on Cedar Lane every year on Memorial Day. Because this is a Memorial Day Weekend event, there are special commemortive ceremonies additionally.

Street Fair Details

The Teaneck business district on Cedar Lanet (Legion Dr to Elm) is turned into a festival of Memorial Day ceremonies, food, a juried craft show, vendor tables and special sales by local merchants. I’ve even seen free pony rides in the past.

This is truly a fun experience. Cedar Lane is turned into a caleidescope of fun from 11 to 6 on Monday. Because this is so popular, 32,000 people are expeced.

Memorial Day Weekend Thoughts

No matter what you do this weekend, I hope you have a good time. While I know there will be lots of fun backyard bbq’s etc, take a moment to reflect. Because it’s important.

Take the time to honor our armed forces both active, past and gone. Remember what this means because it’s important. Above all else, Memorial Day Weekend is to honor sacrifice being made today and in the past. Because of our armed forces, we are free and living in the greatest country on earth, the United States of America.

While I know we’re going through a lot at the moment, as JFK said in 1963 – Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us.