If you want to know what Allendale is about, you should try and be around the town on the Fourth of July. Some of my earliest memories in town reflect back to this day. The town comes together to celebrate with an all day calendar of field events, baseball games, marching band music and to cap it all off, a fantastic fireworks display. All of this is organized by a group in town called the Holiday Observers.
The Holiday Observers signify why people enjoying living in Allendale. Eventually if you live here long enough and want to be involved in the community you then get to know everyone. Early in the 1900's a few neighbors got together and pooled their fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. It became a tradition and in 1919 the Holiday Observers were established. Today the group is over 100 residents strong. They are dedicated to persevering a little bit of Americana for the Allendale residents and their children by sponsoring events that celebrate major American holidays. July 4th is still the biggest event of the year but they also sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt, Family Fun Water Festival on Labor Day, Halloween Poster Painting and Costume Parade, and Santa's Holiday Gift Giving.
The other day I was going through some memorabilia I have and found some medals I had won back in the late 1960's at the Fourth of July field events and the afternoon baseball All Star games. It is funny but now, forty years later nothing has really changed on this date. It is what we used to call a blast from the past. At the Allendale Ball Field, on this date there is still the Flag raising Ceremony at 7 am and the firing of the cannon ball fireworks which wakes the town up. At 8:30 the field events start. Children form 6 to 15 years old participate against there own age group in events such as 3 legged race, Sack races, running broad jump, softball throw, basketball shoot and of course the 50 yard dash. The men's horseshoe tournament starts at about the same time and the ladies rolling pin throw kicks off at 11 am. During the entire day, the Holiday Observers run a refreshment stand selling hot dogs and hamburgers, candy and soda. Remarkably the prices are still the same as in the 60's. Burgers for 25 cents!
The afternoon is a celebration of baseball and softball all stars of all ages competing in fun filled games. As the night time approaches today, the scene shifts to Crestwood Lake for the marching band concert followed by a unbeatable fireworks display at sundown. Years ago the fireworks were also held at the Ball Field with many more ground display fireworks.
I still love this day in Allendale. Now as a member of the Holiday Observers, I have a chance to give back to the town and the young children (and adults) the making of their own memories so they may carry them through their life as I have in mine.
James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/
