The faint scent of pretzels and pizza drifted through the warm autumn air as families filled the streets and children clutched their painted pumpkins. Last weekend, Tenafly’s Fall Festival brought the community together in the center of town for a day of food, fun, and festivities to kick off the season.
Booths lined the sidewalks, offering everything from handmade crafts to freshly-baked goods. Laughter echoed from the inflated slide and spinning teacup rides while the bubble man drew a crowd, a stampede chasing shimmering spheres through the air. Nearby, a line formed for face painting as children transformed into tigers, butterflies, and superheroes.
Marking the 3rd annual celebration, the Fall Festival is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Borough of Tenafly, aiming to bring residents, local businesses, and students together in celebration of the season and community spirit. The Festival serves as both a showcase for local talent and a way to support small businesses, offering vendors and performers the chance to connect with neighbors in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
Before the music started and the games began, the town took a quiet moment in the square to honor Jeanne Rivkin-Mermelshtayn, a beloved member of the Chamber whose recent passing left a lasting mark on Tenafly. Her memory was honored with a tribute that set the tone for a day centered on togetherness, gratitude, and celebration.
The park was soon filled with pumpkins, courtesy of the Orly Chen team. At the center of the festival was a massive stage, featuring performances scattered throughout the day from the School of Rock, the JCC Thurnauer School of Music, and Revolution Dance Academy. When there weren’t kids dancing or playing instruments, a DJ kept the music going and coordinated festivities like hula-hooping and costume contests.
Tenafly’s Fall Festivals would be incomplete without the business owners themselves. Selling goods from Dubai chocolate to crocheted animals, each visitor found something unique to enjoy. Jack Altman (’28) recalled his experience at Fall Fest as a vendor selling goods under Soaps By Noah. As a young business owner, he describes the Festival as “an amazing opportunity for our town to come together and inspire the future generations of entrepreneurs, and to give students like me a chance to share what we’ve built. It’s really a rewarding experience to see people stop by, ask questions, and support local student-run businesses. Events like these remind us that even small ideas can make a big difference when the community supports them.”
The Fall Fest wasn’t just about the markets. Turn A New Leaf offered a fall planting project and mini canvas paintings for all to enjoy.
Walking along West Railroad Avenue, a massive trailer immediately caught my attention, the letters PSE&G emblazoned on the front. “The Great Escape” lit up in a bright, orange font as eager children gathered around the entrance. Inside, a mystery awaited—fun and educational PSE&G energy-themed puzzles—anexperience both fun and educational. These puzzles aimed to teach the younger generations about the importance of efficient energy and power usage.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Jenny Jackson, reflected on this year’s event. “Fall Fest was our biggest downtown event in years, and it truly brought our whole town together—from students and families to local businesses and community leaders,” she said. “The energy was amazing—great food, music, rides, football, dancing, and so much fun for everyone.”
Whether in the warm breeze of the autumn air, the excited chatter lining the streets, or in the unique vendors from cheese to crocheted animals, parents and children alike found a place of their own this Fall Festival. “It showed how much Tenafly has grown and how special it truly is when we all come together to celebrate our town,” Jackson said.
In case you didn’t stop by to catch the Fall Fest this year, there’s no need to worry—Holiday Fair and Spring Fling are just around the corner!
