Event Recap: Rutherford Day 2025

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Photo credits: Dan Meredith

Park Avenue and Lincoln Park were lined with over 75 businesses and organizations this past Saturday, September 20, 2025. It was a beautiful day filled with fun, friendship, and community gathering. Mayor Frank Nunziato explained, "For me, the best part of the day was being there as vendors arrived and watching how fellow Rutherford businesses and organizations helped each other set up tents and get ready for the crowd."

Non-profit organizations and businesses greeted residents, sharing information about themselves and their upcoming events. There were games, inflatables, arts and crafts, and so much more. Along Lincoln Avenue, several food trucks offered a variety of delicious meals, snacks, and sweet treats, while the Rutherford Fire Department fired up their grills and served their favorites.

Public Information Officer Kim Bogosian organized Rutherford Day, and a team of Borough employees assisted to ensure that it was another successful day. The Borough is also extremely grateful to the sponsors of Rutherford Day: PIA World Insurance, Williams Center, Vango Development, MS & B, and BCB Bank.

“Rutherford Day was a great day for people to be at Lincoln Park and see what the different businesses and organizations in town had for it. The weather was beautiful, and the kids who participated in the scavenger hunt seemed to have so much fun. I was with the town’s Access for All Committee, where we had a stand. My Mom, Donna Raffanello, Stephanie McGowan, Liz Forte, Laura Scotti, and I are members of the Access for All Committee. We have meetings from time to time to discuss different ideas for people with special needs. I’m glad our committee got to participate in Rutherford Day. It was so much fun," explained Richard Rafanello.

Volunteer Committee member Matt Ackermann told TIR, "Rutherford Day is one of those days that just makes me so proud of our town. The community and the camaraderie are incredible. To get a chance to emcee this year was such a blast! We were fortunate to have incredible musicians participate in the day. It was a great day to be a Bulldog! Hope everyone joins us for PorchFest on October 11th."

Music was provided by Rutherford Rock, Springwood Electric Luau, School of Rock Carlstadt, and All my Blues.