Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • June 20, 2012 July 4 in Ridgewood is a very special day that the entire area looks forward to all year. This year’s theme is “Born in New Jersey.” Once again, the day’s events are being planned by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee. This all-volunteer community group that does not receive direct funding from the Village of Ridgewood. Because of generous support from the community, Ridgewood has one of the best small town Independence Day celebrations. The committee invites citizens to help “Support the Tradition,” which is more advantageous this year. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc. is now a 501(c) 3 organization, so gifts are 100 percent tax deductible. The Fourth of July Parade Committee is currently seeking people born on July 4 to ride on its “Yankee Doodle Dandies” float. The first 15 people to respond will ride on the float, others may walk alongside. To register for the float, e-mail ridgewood4th@gmail.com. July 4 fireworks tickets on sale, ‘dandies’ sought Please include name, age (optional for adults), and contact information. Respondents will be contacted with details. While the parade is free, fireworks tickets are required for entrance to Veterans Field. Donations for fireworks tickets are one of the celebration’s largest sources of income. Ticket sales cover the evening entertainment, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., and conclude with the fireworks display at dark. Proceeds also cover the bands that perform in the parade, and additional security and traffic control. Attendees are encouraged to come early and enjoy some great entertainment. (Rain date: July 5.) For many years the cost of tickets remained the same, while costs increased. In recent years, the committee has had to increase ticket prices. It was a decision the committee made reluctantly in the face of rising costs. To keep the ticket prices as reasonable as possible for attendees, while covering costs, pre-sales of tickets are being made available through a wide range of local businesses. Tickets purchased at the gate are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages six through 12. Children five years old and under are admitted free of charge. Pre-sales of tickets are available at a reduced cost of $8 each and may be purchased at Backyard Living, 235 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood; Daily Treat, 177 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood; Goffle Brook Farm, 425 Goffle Road, Ridgewood; Harding Wines and Spirits, 305 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood; Herold’s Farm & Garden Center, 909 Prospect Street, Glen Rock; Hillman Electric, 133 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood; Hogan’s Restaurant Diner, 20 Central Avenue, Midland Park; Hoskins Propane, 523 Goffle Road, Ridgewood; JT’s Wines and Spirits, 607 North Maple Avenue, HoHo-Kus; La Strada, 231 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park; North Jersey Community Bank, 171 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood; Ridgewood Auto Wash Co., 450 South Broad Street, Glen Rock; Ridgewood Cycle Shop, 35 North Broad Street, Ridgewood; The Wine Seller, 6 West Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood; and Town & Country Apothecary, 60 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood. Tickets will also be on sale at the Ridgewood Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, June 25 through 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and July 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. Patrons and their belongings may be subject to security checks when entering Veterans Field. Handicapped parking for the parade will be available on Dayton Street behind Van Neste Park. Very limited handicapped parking for the evening entertainment will be available at the parking lot to the east of Veterans Field. Approach Veterans Field on Linwood Avenue from the east. Turn left onto Northern Parkway. Turn right into the parking lot. There are just a few spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. A police officer will be posted there to direct motorists. Those who park in the handicapped spaces will not have access to their cars during the fireworks due to the location of the fireworks drop zone. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club, and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on patriotism. The event has grown into one of the largest celebrations in the New York City area and has been featured on CNN, “Good Morning America,” and the local New York stations. For more information about this year’s celebration, visit www. ridgewoodjuly4th.org.