Super Bowl Pre-Gaming Begins in Ridgewood

The Ridgewood YMCA on Sunday held the first event of a week-long run-up to the Super Bowl to be played Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium.

If (like most of us) you don't have a ticket to the big game - or even if you don't like football - festivities continue this week for residents who want to take part in the first local Super Bowl.

Tuesday-Thursday

The Ridgewood Public Library has pigskin crafts planned for Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. for ages 4-7, and will show family-friendly sports-themed movies throughout the week at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday's flick is Rudy, Wednesday's is Air Bud: Golden Receiver, and Thursday they'll show Game Plan.

Friday

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is "huddling up" in the old Bank of America Building at 54 East Ridgewood Ave.

From 4 to 10 p.m. the building will be filled with arcade games and Ridgewood High School football big-screen highlights. Music kicks off at 8 p.m., and a "treasure hunt" in the vaults offers an array of unique prizes - from gift certificates to a spot in the Fourth of July parade.

Saturday

Head back to 54 East Ridgewood Ave. for a "halftime show" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the marching band, cheerleading squad, choir and football players from Ridgewood High School. The treasure hunt continues in the vaults and a local eateries face off in a chili cook-off.

At 2 p.m., the Ridgewood Library hosts a game show-style trivia event for families to test their sports knowledge before the game.

The week culminates in a "Fire and Ice" festival at Graydon Pool from 4 to 8 p.m. Fifteen bonfires will light up the perimeter, each manned by a member of the village's fire department. Winter wear and food vendors will be on hand and - temperatures permitting - the roller rink will be filled with ice for skating and snow machines will provide the terrain for some snowshoeing. 

The event is $5 and requires registration either online here or by calling the parks and recreation department at 201-670-5560.