Everyone get ready to fire up the grill and blast those patriotic tunes, because it's that time of year again. With Independence Day right around the corner we all are reminded of the celebrations of years past and how few have done it better and longer than Ridgewood's very own Fourth of July Committee.

On Saturday morning Ann Marie Snyder, vice president of the committee and parade chair, shared vignettes of the history in a slide lecture at the Ridgewood Public Library photos dating back as far as 100 years when it was Ridgewood's Independence Day Association that ran the show.

This year marks the centennial anniversary of Ridgewood's very first Fourth of July party, which 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 holiday with an emphasis on patriotism.

Snyder detailed parade photos from over the years. Past parades featured bands, antique cars, horse-drawn floats and celebrity grand marshals, such as astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and New York Giants great Bobby Thompson—of "Shot Heard Round the World" fame.

As good as the early shows were, they have only gotten better with time as Ridgewood has won the "Best in Bergen" award an impressive four consecutive years from (201) Magazine.

Ridgewood now looks to win the title a fifth-consecutive year as the committee plan on making this the biggest Fourth of July celebration yet. In order to do so the committee promises to feature one of the largest fireworks displays in the village's history.

Helping to fund the extravaganza, the committee will continue to sell a limited- edition T-shirt, which not only commemorates the celebration's historic centennial but also gains the wearer entrance to all the festivities on Veterans Field on July 5—the official celebration day.

The T-shirt, which features artwork from Ridgewood's inaugural Fourth of July program in 1910, will be available on a first come, first serve basis and can be purchased at the committee's website or at La Casita, 158 E. Ridgewood Ave.

Tickets for the fireworks have already gone on sale at the library and other locations throughout town, so be sure to reserve your seat so that you can become a part of the history.