Rutherford's TreeFest 2023

By Jennifer Ersalesi

As a Borough known for its beautiful trees, it seems fitting that there is an annual Festival in Lincoln Park celebrating our local trees. This year the Shade Tree Commission will host TreeFest on Saturday, April 22nd from 12 pm until 5 pm. All are welcome to participate in this fun, family-friendly event. This is Rutherford spoke with Steve Addeo, member of the Shade Tree Commission, to learn more about what will be happening this year in the park.

TIR: TreeFest started back in 2016. It has been a tradition that the community members of Rutherford look forward to each year. What can families can expect this year?

Steve Addeo: The Shade Tree Commission's goal for our annual Treefest has always been to keep it a family friendly event. In addition to celebrating the borough of trees, we want to make our residents aware of the importance of the tree canopy in our community and the steps taken to keep it healthy and viable. There will be many informational booths sharing many different tree and sustainable ideas, organic pest controls, and general knowledge to keep our trees looking great.

Our festival will offer great food, drink, organic item vendors, live music, a beer garden and plenty of kid friendly things to do. Just a nice day for a stroll through one of Rutherford’s manicured parks. TIR: What do you enjoy most about TreeFest?

SA: We always like to see the residents enjoying all the festival has to offer and the interest, care and appreciation that our guests show towards the efforts made by the shade tree commission to keep our tree canopy growing, safe and healthy.

Photo taken at the 2022 TreeFest in Lincoln Park

TIR: Who helps coordinate and run this event?

SA: Our TreeFest is a total group effort put together by all the members of the Shade Tree Commission. Our members include: Frank Sasso, Greg Goumas, John Trotsky, Margaret Scott, myself, our DPW liaison Chris Seidler, and our council liaison, Matt Cokeley. A huge part of organizing this event was handled by Rutherfords communication department director Kim Bogosian. Kim’s efforts have been key to the festival’s success and I want to thank her and everyone else for their efforts.

TIR: The TreeFest has become a very popular event in Rutherford. Why do you think people look forward to this event every year?

SA: We always try to make every year better than the last. We are always adding new vendors, family friendly things to do, and we like to give all of the Borough’s non-

profit groups a place to spread awareness to their causes. Over the past six years we have had the best weather and hope to have the continued luck this year. We hope to see you all there. For vendor registration and payment, click here.