Township of River Vale

Come in out of the cold for Hot Chocolate with Cop and get pictures taken with Santa - TODAY 5pm - 7pm at the River Vale Community Center, 628 Rivervale Road!

Indoor Pickleball for Kids Ages 7 to 14 will be available at the River Vale Community Center starting in January 2025! Weekly lessons will be held on Friday evenings starting January 10. Eight sessions for $210. Additional info: 646-541-3976 Email to register: newjerseysportsacademy@gmail.com.

UPDATE 12/18 9am- THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Please be aware that Veolia Water will be conducting a deer population study using drones overnight on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from approximately 7:00 pm to 3:00 am in River Vale and other nearby towns with Veolia watershed property. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the River Vale Police Department. Thank you.

There are still a few spots available for Chess Lessons for ages 5 to 8 on Friday afternoons starting in January at the River Vale Community Center, 628 Rivervale Road. Chess sets provided! $160 for 8 classes. Additional info: 646-541-3976 Email to register: newjerseysportsacademy@gmail.com

Come join the River Vale Police Department this Friday, December 20th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the River Vale Community Center, 628 Rivervale Road, for hot chocolate and pictures with Santa! Ho-Ho-Hope to see you there! 🎅🏼

Exciting News! The River Vale Tree Decorating Committee has finished installing our super-secret tree design for the 2024 Van Saun Winter Wonderland County Wide Tree Decorating Contest. Every year, towns in Bergen County choose delegates of all sorts to decorate their town tree – which is then displayed at Winter Wonderland for the general public to enjoy. This Saturday, December 14th from 6-7pm is the official Van Saun Tree Lighting Ceremony, where all town trees will be evaluated and the best town tree will be announced and awarded a free town ice skating day (for Jan 2025). Last year, we did not place in top 3 with our clever “River Vale Woodland Wonderland” tree. Despite our regal snowy owl tree topper, woodland animal ornaments, tree slices with street names, baubles with town landmarks and even a QR code with a video of all the cute wild animals spotted in River Vale, submitted to us by the community, we did not win. No worries! We’ve been taking notes all year and our committee is determined to bring home a win this season! If you’d like to come out and cheer on our tree at the Tree Lighting this Saturday, tickets are available at: Bergen County's Winter Wonderland - https://www.bergencountywinterwonderland.com/ If you miss this year’s Van Saun tree lighting, no worries! You can get your tickets for another day and see the trees on display now through the end of the skating season in late January. For a little extra fun, take a selfie when you go to check on our tree. Post it on social media with #RVTree2024 for a chance to win one of the beautiful jeweled ornaments on our tree. Don’t forget to make your post public so we can find you! Lucky winners will be announced via e-blast February 1st. Wishing all of River Vale a wonderful winter holiday season full of joy and memories!!! Fondly, Your 2024 River Vale Tree Decorating Committee

Due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, recycling pick up of paper and cardboard that week will be Thursday, December 26. Glass, aluminum and plastic will be collected on Thursday, January 2, 2025. 2025 Recycling Calendar Coming Soon!

Tomorrow, Monday, December 9, there will be utility work at the intersection of Rivervale Road and Prospect Avenue. Rivervale Road will be closed from Lamanna Drive to Kennedy Court. Prospect Avenue will be closed at the intersection. Police Officers will be present to conduct traffic control and assist residents who reside in the affected area in accessing their homes/businesses. Please follow the posted detours. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation. Please contact the River Vale Police Department with any questions or concerns.

We invite you to join us as we light the menorah 🕎 on the second night of Hanukkah at the River Vale Annual Menorah Lighting on December 26th at 5:30pm! The Township of River Vale is once again partnering with Valley Chabad for the festivities at River Vale Town Hall which are expected to be BIGGER and better than ever! Come see the GIANT ROBOT and GIANT MENORAH, free delicious donuts and latkes, gelt drop from the Fire Truck, raffles and prizes and of course spending time with our amazing community! Any questions, please email Culturalaffairs1@rivervalenj.org or Culturalaffairs2@rivervalenj.org.

The River Vale Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is this Friday, December 6th at 6pm! This year's tree lighting features some exciting changes including: - Festive holiday music by the Pascack Valley High School Chamber Jazz Band from 6-6:15 in front of Town Hall - Coat Drive sponsored by the River Vale Girl Scouts - Toy Drive for The Center of Hope & Safety (accepting new, unwrapped gifts) - Free Hot Chocolate - Letters to Santa, Make Your Own Ornaments & Holiday Coloring Pages - Food & Drinks Available for purchase at Empanada Lady and Clyde’s Ice Cream & Italian Ice - Mini Gift Fair inside Santa’s Workshop with items for purchase: o Between It All Crochet (hats, scarves, etc.) o Kacey Krochets (stuffed animals) o Fantastic Foods & Flavors (gift baskets of imported foods) o No Worries Candle Company (candles, bath bombs, room sprays, wax melts) o Paws & Elegance (custom bows and bandanas for your animals) o River Vale PTA Table See you there!

The Department of Public Works has completed the last scheduled leaf pickup for Zone 3 and will be now moving through River Vale for the last time. They will be starting in Zone 1 immediately and will be subsequently moving through Zone 2 before finishing the season in Zone 3. Please bring leaves to the curb immediately. Thank You and Happy Holidays!

It's that time of year again for the 36th Annual P.B.A. Toy Drive! The Santa Response Team is collecting new, unwrapped toys. Please drop off at any participating local business or the River Vale Police Department headquarters at 334 Rivervale Road by December 18th. Thank you!

The River Vale Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is this Friday, December 6th at 6pm! Come enjoy this family fun event at Town Hall featuring live music, free crafts and cocoa, gift vendors, food trucks and of course... Santa Claus! Gently used coats and canned and boxed food are being collected for charity as well. See you there!

River Vale Town Hall will be CLOSED Wednesday 11/27 at 12:30 pm through Friday 11/29 in observance of Thanksgiving Day. We reopen Monday 12/2 at 9:00 am. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market, Tomorrow, TUESDAY (NOT THURSDAY) 11/26 from 12-4pm at the River Vale Town Hall Parking Lot. While this is the LAST market of the season, it’s definitely not the least! This is perfect opportunity for you to pick up locally grown or produced items for your Thanksgiving dinner! Hope Cress Farms has sold out of fresh, farm raised turkey, but you can get other Thanksgiving necessities to make the perfect side dish. Orlando’s Famous bakery will have freshly baked breads (freeze the bread until Thursday, and it will still be perfect)! Delicious and beautiful homemade chocolate cornucopias will be available from Clyde’s Homemade Ices & Ice Cream- a perfect gift for your Thanksgiving hosts. PickleLicious- not only do they have pickles, but so many other appetizers- sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic, olives and much more to create an incredible crudité platter. The Empanada Lady will be serving up warm delicious empanadas with a special Thanksgiving variety (did someone say stuffing?). Phenix Sharpening will be with us- Don’t forget to bring your knives to the market!! Food Trucks • Angelos Finest Pizza (and it truly is!) • Cousins Maine Lobster- grab a delicious lobster roll or lobster tacos or tots! Vendors • Hope Cress Farms • Clyde’s Homemade Italian Ice & Ice Cream • The Empanada Lady • PickleLicious- pickles and other appetizers • Orlandos Famous Bakery- freshly baked morning of the market! • Babka Paradise- a special guest this week- if you would like to place an order for her incredible Thanksgiving items see the attached menu and email babkaparadise1@gmail.com to place an order before tomorrow. • Phenix Knife Sharpening- bring your knives to sharpen to make sure you can cut that turkey with ease • TCNJ Wood Boards- a perfect hostess gift and proceeds go to a great cause! • Abby’s Stuffies-Adorable Crochet Animals- perfect stocking stuffers • Market Sponsor: Arbor Terrace Assisted Living LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • Music: Mingo Lodge heaps up a hearty helping of rock, pop, funk, alternative, country, dance, folk, bluegrass, and super-disco space-grooves. https://www.rivervalenj.org/page/farmers-market

Please come out this Friday night as Pascack Valley High School Football hosts rival Northern Valley Old Tappan in the NJSIAA (North Group 3) State Semi-Finals! Details: Friday, November 22nd Old Tappan @ Pascack Valley 6 pm Kickoff Tickets can be purchased in advance at the link below or at the gate. http://njsiaa.org/tickets Join us to support our local students on the football team, cheer squad and band who represent not only PV but River Vale as well!

Reminder, there is no River Vale Farmers Market this week. The final Market of the 2024 season will be Tuesday, November 26 from 12pm to 4pm. Come pick up your Thanksgiving goodies!

All are welcome to kick off the holiday season at the River Vale Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 6th at 6pm! Come enjoy this family fun event at Town Hall featuring live music, free crafts and cocoa, gift vendors, food trucks and of course... Santa Claus! Gently used coats and canned or boxed food are being collected for charity as well. See you there!

Indoor Pickleball for Kids Ages 7 to 14 will be available at the River Vale Community Center starting in January 2025! Weekly lessons will be held on Friday evenings starting January 10. Eight sessions for $210. Email newjerseysportsacademy@gmail.com or call 646-541-3976 for details and to register.

Thursday, November 14 - Last THURSDAY Farmers Market from 12pm to 5pm! Maribyrd will be performing 1-4pm- grab a bun, some coffee and listen to some amazing music. Balloon Chica will be twisting away from 1-3pm. Place your orders for Thanksgiving- Farm Fresh Turkeys at Hope Cress Farms available for pickup at our Tuesday, 11/26 Market date, beautiful homemade Chocolate Thanksgiving cornucopias from Clyde’s Homemade. • Cousin’s Maine Lobster Truck- don’t miss out on sweet, delicious lobster roll filled with chunks of lobster (no joke). Order in advance with their app- make sure to use the Freehold truck. • Rain Bao Food Truck- NEW!!- serving bao buns that are filled with genius flavors influenced by southern roots. Danielle worked in a Michelin star kitchen, and you can definitely tell she has cooking chops! She sold out of all buns last week- don’t miss out!! Vendors • Hope Cress Farms- taking orders for farm raised, fresh (not frozen) turkeys. Turkey Pickup is 11/26. • Clyde’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream- Taking orders for chocolate cornucopias • The Empanada Lady • PickleLicious • The Cheese Guy- NEW!! • Orlandos Famous Bakery- freshly baked breads and treats • Sue’s House of Fudge NEW!! Rich fudge in over 20 different flavors which makes a perfect gift • Brazilian Churros NEW!! • Tin Can Confections- Coffee/Espresso/Latte Bar chai, hot cocoa, assorted teas, + locally roasted coffee, delicious freshly baked pies and MORE • TC New Jersey- A non-profit group creating and selling beautiful Wood Cheese and charcuterie boards. Eagle Scout Mini Golf Course – come for a $2 “tee time” from 1-5pm – proceeds go towards the Market’s activity fund Halloween Candy Donation Opportunity- We are taking candy donations for any candy or trick or treat items that are individually wrapped- we will be donating to St. Andrews Food Pantry that will use them to provide a little joy to those less fortunate. Please feel free to drop off non-perishable canned and boxed food as well. “Jersey Day”- Wear a team jersey or something New Jersey! https://www.rivervalenj.org/page/farmers-market