Centennial Celebrations Begin

Message From the Mayor
As you probably are aware – not sure how you couldn’t be – Franklin Lakes is celebrating its 100th year!

Our motto, “Pride in Our Past, Faith in Our Future,” was on full display on Saturday night at our opening event, the Speakeasy Gala. Over 400 people attended an amazing night at the Indian Trail Club where people dressed in 1920’s elegant fashion and partied through the night, mingling with friends and neighbors celebrating the great town we all live in. 

There are three more main events coming in the months ahead for everyone to join in during this special year. Visit www.franklinlakescentennial.com for a full list of dates and details.

As we celebrate Franklin Lakes, it is important to recognize the large group of employees, residents and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make these events happen and the sponsors who contributed so generously. None of this could happen without them. So, forgive me for taking the time to make sure I give credit where it is due.

Firstly, the Borough started planning the Centennial celebrations about two years ago. Dina Robinson, Franklin Lakes’ Community Director, was charged with developing a plan for the Centennial year and to organize the roll out of all the events this year. It started with a wide range of efforts including decorations for the town, Centennial Calendar, Historical Book, communications, and four main events – Speakeasy Gala, Parade, Fireworks, and Street Fair. Dina’s leadership has been incredible throughout and she has had help from employees including the efforts of the Recreation Department, Kathy and Ana, the DPW workers led by Rich and Larry, and our Deputy Borough Administrator, Lynette. We are fortunate to have such great people working for our town.

The Speakeasy Gala has been the focus of recent planning which was led by Dina and committee chairs – Michele DeLuccia and Laura Metzler. And a big thank you to the McBride’s and the Indian Trail Club for accommodating us. Dina, Michele and Laura worked incredibly hard to plan the event to the finest detail, and it showed! They had plenty of help from the committee that included Bevinn Romaine, Priscilla Thoma, Lauren Porreca, Nina Connolly, Terry Meese, and Danielle Palmadessa. Thank you for a great evening!

As I said earlier, the full Centennial Committee has worked throughout the year on planning all of the events for this year and their input and hard work has been instrumental to our success.

Centennial Committee: Roger Ahl, Frank Bivona, Dennis Bonagura, Joe Cadicina, Christine Christopoul, Brian Comitto, Michele DeLuccia, Barbara Doka, Barry Donnelly, Kathy Furman, Jack Goudsward, Greg Hart, Charlie Kahwaty, Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Gail A. Kelly, Colin Knight, Denny Knubel, Dana Kukol, Tom Lambrix, Rev. Jongln Lee, Greg Maceri, Laura Metzler, Donna Meyer, Mike O'Brien, Dean Pezzuti, Lauren Porreca, Phyllis Quinn, Paulette Ramsey, Brian Rendine, Bevinn Romaine, Larry Sellitti, Lynette Sidoti, Ann Swist, Priscilla Thoma, Jacqueline Vicari, Mabel Ann Watkins, Kerri Wallace, Jim Webb, and Nelson Winokur.

Centennial Parade - Saturday, May 21, 2022: The Parade planning is well underway. We have Brian Rendine, Priscilla Thoma, Bevinn Romaine, JoAnn Irwin, Mike Esposito, David Polli, Luke Macejka, and Dan Sheppard.

Centennial Fireworks - Friday, June 24, 20122: Dina Robinson, Denny Knubel, and Brian Comitto.

Centennial Street Festival - Saturday, September 17, 2022: Dina Robinson (looking for volunteers).

Centennial History Book: The Borough of Franklin Lakes, Colin Knight, Franklin Lakes Library, and Franklin Lakes Historical Society.

Centennial Then and Now Video: Roger Ahl and Colin Knight.

So much of what is happening this year comes with the financial support of our sponsors whose generosity and support has exceeded expectations. Thank you to our sponsors!

CENTENNIAL SPONSORS

  • Columbia Bank
  • Indian Trail Club and the McBride Family
  • Kayal Orthopaedic Center
  • Franklin Lakes Parks & Recreation Foundation

GOLD SPONSORS

  • The Market Basket
  • The Premtaj Team at Compass Real Estate
  • Chabad of NW Bergen County

SILVER SPONSORS

  • BD
  • Ivy Rehab

PRIDE SPONSORS

  • H2Oceans - Sylvia and Michael Frodella
  • Millpond of Franklin Lakes
  • The LaRosa Family

VALET SPONSOR

  • The Premtaj Team at Compass Real Estate

 

EVENT SPONSORS

  • FIVE 13 - Champagne Fountain
  • FOOD TREND CATERING - dessert
  • H2Oceans - food and cigars
  • NEFT VODKA - vodka drinks and flappers

Lastly, I want to thank all of our residents for embracing this Centennial year and taking time out of your busy schedules to come out and attend these events, share some good times, and create new memories. I am proud to be part of such a great community and consider myself lucky to be a resident, I hope you are too!

Best,
Mayor Frank Bivona