SouthOrangeCRC

01/10/2026

✨Unsung Sheroes 2026✨
Honoring the Women Making a Difference in South Orange & Maplewood
Nominations are now open for SOMA’s Unsung Sheroes 2026—a celebration recognizing local women who go above and beyond to make a difference in their fields and our community.

Each year, we shine a light on extraordinary women whose leadership, creativity, and commitment enrich SOMA in countless ways.

Award Categories:
⭐️Advocacy, Public Service & Community Impact
🎨Arts & Culture
📚Education
💼Business, Entrepreneurship & Leadership
🌱Youth Leadership

Know someone inspiring? Submit your nomination by January 31! (Link below and in our Instagram bio)

🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAIpQLSeC910D_PA_2az0WFmzkKpaKzdVhOrVZh48twolYttl-UhmuA/viewform

We can’t wait to celebrate together in 2026!

01/08/2026

✨ Our world needs more light. ✨

This MLK Day, Meadowland Park will be filled with light, reflection, and community as we present the largest display of MLK Day luminaries in SOMA.

In partnership with the Community Coalition on Race, the park will glow with hundreds of luminaries alongside special lighting and video installations throughout Meadowland Park, made possible with equipment donated by SOPAC and generous support from Invisible Man.

Each luminary will be weighted with canned food, all of which will be donated to a local food pantry following the event—turning light into action and care for our neighbors.

🕯️ Bring canned food to the Skate House starting at 2 PM
🕯️ Join us at 5 PM for a brief ceremonial lighting with local officials
🕯️ Then wander the park and experience the installation at your own pace

📍 Meadowland Park
📅 Monday, January 19
⏰ 5:00 PM

Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy together—through service, reflection, and light.

11/22/2025

🎄✨ Get ready to kick off the season at South Orange’s Hometown Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 6, from **2–6 PM!**⁠
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🎅 From FREE professional Santa photos and kids’ crafts to live performances and our beloved community tree lighting, it’s a day full of festive fun for all ages!⁠
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📸 2–5 PM HOLIDAY MOMENTS & FREE SANTA PHOTOS
Head upstairs at Felina Steak (101 S Orange Ave) for free photos with Santa, plus themed games, crafts, and a Holiday Education Station from the South Orange Public Library!⁠
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🌟 **5 PM TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY (Now at Spiotta Park!)**⁠
Please note: the Tree Lighting Ceremony has officially been moved to Spiotta Park (20–32 Village Plaza)! Enjoy performances by the Columbia High School Choir and Concepts Dance Academy, with the big lighting at 5:30PM. Then swing back to Felina for hot chocolate and sweet treats ☕🍪⁠
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❤️ Huge thanks to our Tree Sponsor, Felina Steak, and Holiday Moments sponsor, the Lichtman Rabney Group of Hearth Realty, for making this magical community tradition shine bright ✨

10/08/2025

South Orange runs on volunteers
— and we need YOU!

Whether you care about walkability, preserving our history, supporting seniors, or building community connections, there’s a place for you.

Join one of our amazing groups:

🚲Walk Bike Ride South Orange
🤝Community Relations Committee
👥Senior Advisory Committee
🏛️Historic Preservation Commission

Meetings are monthly and open to all South Orange residents.

Let’s keep our Village vibrant — together!

Learn More/Sign Up to Volunteer: http://www.southorange.org/374/Volunteering or click the bio on our page.

10/02/2025

"Age in Place with Simple Tech Solutions (no wi-fi needed)"
Lunch & Learn presented with the JSDD Life|Home|Tech Program
Thursday Oct 23
12 noon, Lunch at 1 pm (eat breakfast :) )
Baird Center
5 Mead St
South Orange
Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/NJ/south-orange-village-township-nj/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM5MzUxNTI=
or email [email protected]
Call Recreation at 973-378-7754 ext 2 for help registering

10/02/2025

09/16/2025

Thank you, South Orange! 🚲🎉☀️

This year’s Community Day + Bike Parade was one for the books — with a record breaking 75 local organizations coming together to celebrate. 🌟

Big thanks to our co-sponsors + for riding alongside us and making it all happen. 💛

What a celebration of community, connection, and joy — see you again next year! 🙌✨

09/15/2025

09/09/2025

South Orange Community Day Rolls In with Back-to-School Bike Parade and Family Fun

South Orange Community Day is set to take place THIS Sunday, September 14 from 1-3 PM, offering neighbors, families, and friends an afternoon full of free fun, fitness, and community connection.

This year’s event brings together local organizations, municipal departments, and residents for one of the most vibrant traditions of the year - complete with activities for kids, and the highly anticipated Back-to-School Bike Parade.

Bike Parade & Activities:
Come get your bikes ready for fall, learn about the SOMA Bike Bus and the South Orange Greenway, and join your neighbors for a joyful ride through the park and surrounding streets. The parade is open to kids and adults of all ages - bring your bikes, trikes, scooters, strollers, or just your walking shoes and be part of the fun! There’s something for all skill levels: we’ll parade through the park and also ride a ~1-mile loop on nearby streets to experience the new West Montrose Avenue bike lanes.

🚴‍♂️Bike Parade Schedule: Please arrive between 1:35-
2:15 PM to participate.

Additional bike-related activities include:

All-ages bike/scoot/walk

Bike & scooter decorating station

Free bike tune-ups from Urban Cyclery

Helmet checks & safety tips from EZ Ride

Bicycle registration with South Orange Police
Department

Free bike bells & reflective safety gear

Community Day also features:

🧘‍♀️ Free outdoor yoga class for all ages at 1pm with
Kristen Brunello (bring a yoga mat or blanket)

🎈Inflatables for kids

🍦Ice cream truck treats

🏛️ Info from municipal departments

🌳Updates on the South Orange Greenway

🤝Opportunities to meet elected officials and connect
with local organizations

📍South Orange Community Day Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM (Bike Parade 1:35-2:15 PM)
Location: Meadowland Park - Mead Street & Meadowbrook Lane

For more information, please contact:
[email protected]