The Guide: Mahwah Winterfest

The is again organizing WinterFest, an eight-week celebration scheduled to begin on December 2  with a 7p.m. Opening Ceremony in .

The theme for this year’s festival is “supporting our military moms and troops,” and part of the proceeds received from sponsorships will go to the Mahwah Marine Moms-North Jersey Military Moms, the Chamber’s Organization of the Year. “We feel honored to be selected as the Organization of the Year,” said Terry Wendrychowicz, coordinator of the organization. “But what we are is because of everybody else. We could not ship or pay for shipping without the support from the entire region.”

The festival will present a wide variety of activities, including charity drives, contests for all ages, dining events, and an intercultural dance spectacular, celebrating the region’s rich heritage and diversity.   

WinterFest “Support Our Troops” nights are planned at local restaurants. Ten percent of dinner sales between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. will be donated to the Mahwah Marine Moms-North Jersey Military Moms. “Support our Troops” nights are set for:

December 28 – , 2 Island Road, Mahwah

January 4 – Brady’s at the Station, 5 West Main Street, Ramsey

January 11 – , 219 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah

January 18 – Location pending. Check Chamber website.

January 25 – , 1033 MacArthur Boulevard, Mahwah

The Chamber and the Community Center are co-sponsoring the first-ever, intercultural dance spectacular, featuring cultures and dance troupes from all over the region. The dance spectacular is set for the WinterFest Heritage & Diversity Day, January 21, 3-4:30 pm at the Hindu Samaj Community Center, 247 West Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah. “It’s an honor for us to co-sponsor this event,” said Dinesh Khosla, member of the Hindu Samaj community and WinterFest committee. “It’s a small token of our appreciation for those who stand for and protect our liberty. We hope this will be come an annual event as part of our mission for community outreach.” 

To help “spread the cheer” during the holiday season, the Chamber has assembled a list of local non-profit organizations seeking food, coats, toys, and many other items. The Center for Food Action, the Clothing Closet at Ramapo Reformed Church, Toys for Tots, and several other non-profits will benefit from your donations.  Please visit www.mahwah.com for a detailed listing of items and services needed, drop-off locations, and deadlines.   

Many other activities, including our annual senior line drawing and children’s coloring contests, are on the agenda. Keep an eye out for future announcements about these and other family-friendly events. 

Business and family sponsors are needed ($25 to $5,000). WinterFest sponsors help support the good work of the selected local organizations and the families they serve. Join the growing list of sponsors:  Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hindu Samaj Community Center, TD Bank, Freund Associates Technical Communication, TwoByTwo Design, Township of Mahwah, and Boiling Springs Savings Bank. 

For a calendar of events or to purchase a sponsorship, visit www.mahwah.com, or call the Chamber office at 201-529-5566.