Sundays: February 12th, March 11th & April 1st
10:00 a.m.
Comic book trade shows are conducted on Sundays once a month at the Community Recreation Center. If interested in becoming a vendor, contact John Paul at (973) 783-0608.
Sundays: February 19th, March 18th & April 15th
9:00 a.m.
Coin Shows are conducted on Sundays once a month at the Community Recreation Center. If interested in becoming a vendor, contact Mark Schiffer at (973) 983-2449.
Ages 8 – 13
Wednesday, January 25th
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Clifton Optimist Club is sponsoring the Optimist Tri-Star Basketball Skills Contest in cooperation with the Clifton Recreation Basketball Program. The contest is free of charge and will be held at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Boys and girls will compete against peers in their own age group. Awards will be presented to the top 2 boys and girls in each age group. You may register at the competition, but you must be registered by 8:00 p.m. in order to participate.
Saturday, February 4th
1:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Start off the Winter with a family day of ice-skating at the Floyd Hall Ice-Skating Arena located on the campus of Montclair State University. The cost will be $5.00 per person and includes 2 hours of skating, skate rental and a candy surprise. You must have a coupon to attend the event & receive a discount. Pick up coupons at the Recreation Office.
Saturday, February 11th
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Conducted at the Community Recreation Center
1232 Main Avenue – Clifton, NJ
The rally is conducted only once a year at this discounted price so that we can get as many people in Clifton trained in these lifesaving skills.
The CPR Module, including AED (Automated External Defibrillation), teaches participants to recognize and care for life-threatening respiratory and cardiac emergencies in adults. Topics include caring for conscious & unconscious choking victims; performing CPR; care for breathing & cardiac emergencies in adults; avoiding blood borne pathogen exposure.
The First Aid Module teaches participants how to recognize emergency situations, check the scene and call for help, avoid blood borne pathogen exposure, care for wounds, bone & soft tissue injuries, head & spinal injuries, burns, heat & cold emergencies, manage sudden illnesses, stroke, seizure, bites etc., and minimize shock.
All participants are required to take a written test and perform the required skills. American Red Cross certification will be issued upon successful completion and is valid for 2 years. Each participant will receive a Valentine gift, to give to their loved one, with a tag that reads “I am trained in CPR and First Aid because I love you – Your Heart Is in My Hands”
The cost is $30.00 per person. Download flyer and registration form here as pre-registration is required. Register at the Recreation Office.
Thursday, February 23rd
5:00 p.m. Dinner/ 6:00 p.m. Movie
Bring your family to the Clifton Recreation Center for a low cost night out and enjoy dinner and a movie. This year’s featured movie is the “SMURFS”. The cost is $5.50 per person and covers the movie, unlimited popcorn, juice, small bag of movie-favorite candy and dinner. Dinner, provided by the Famous Mid-town Grill, includes the choice of 1 hotdog, 1 hamburger, 1 cheeseburger or 1 grilled cheese sandwich, small french fries and a small soft drink. Purchase tickets at the Recreation Office.
Sunday, February 26th
4:30 p.m. faceoff time
Pre game Ice Hockey Clinic
2:45- 3:45 p.m.
Ice Vault – Wayne, NJ
Join the Clifton Recreation Department & fellow residents for a fun-filled evening of ice hockey with the New Jersey Outlaws (New Jersey’s new class “A” federal ice hockey team). Come root together as a city as the New Jersey Outlaws battle the Cape Cod Blue Fins. The fee is $10.00 per person which includes game admission, postgame autograph, outlaws prize packet and more. You may even be selected to participate in the high five tunnel to help cheer for the players as they enter the ice for the game.
Calling all youth ages 6 – 12: in addition to the game you can participate in a FREE ice hockey clinic and a meet and greet with the players from 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. You must have your own skates, helmet and stick to participate. The clinic is limited so you must pre-register with the Recreation Department. Sign up will be on a first come, first serve basis. Purchase tickets at the Recreation Office.
Sunday, March 4th
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join the Clifton Recreation Department for an afternoon of Bingo, toy prizes, and making ice-cream sundaes at the Clifton Recreation Center. The cost is $3.00 per person, (parents included, even if you’re not playing bingo) for pre-purchased tickets and $6.00 per person paying at the door (if space is still available). Purchase tickets as the Recreation Office. Don’t forget your good luck Bingo charms!
Friday, March 9
7:30 p.m. Showtime
For the first time in circus history, myth and majesty will share the arena during this must-see family event that can only be witnessed at The Greatest Show on Earth! Dragon tribes from the far reaches of the earth are brought together in a single performance displaying their breathtaking skills in a circus tournament of champions. Join the Clifton Recreation Department for this exciting event at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ. Tickets cost $22.00 per person and include admission ticket & transportation. Purchase tickets at the Recreation Office. Be at City Hall at 5:00 p.m. to leave for the trip. The return time is approximately 10:00 p.m. We will be arriving at the IZOD Center early to attend the pre-show circus skills event. Seats are located in the lower level of the arena. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are limited.
Download a copy of the waiver here. Each adult must completed their own waiver form. Parents/guardians please include information for your spouse and each child that is attending from your family on your waiver.
Friday, March 16th
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Gather your family and friends and join the Clifton Recreation Department for a fun night of bowling at Garden Palace Lanes – 42 Lakeview Ave. The event includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza, soda, laser lights, bowling bingo and more fun filled contests. The cost is $40 per lane (up to 6 people per lane max). Grab a lane for your family, friends, co-workers or neighbors. It’s your lane invite whomever you want! Everyone attending must be pre-registered and have a wristband. No spectators allowed. Only one person per group needs to come in and register for the event. Limited lanes are available. Purchase your lane at Recreation Office. A waiting list will be available for individuals who don’t have enough people for a lane who might want to join another group in need of bowlers. If you want to be put on the waiting list, you can call the Recreation Department at (973) 470-5956.
Saturday, March 17th
5:00 p.m.
Check out the True Color – Winter Color Guard Team representing Clifton as they compete at this local competition held at School #17, 361 Lexington Avenue. You will be amazed at the various groups participating in flag & sword twirling, percussions, dance and more. Tickets cost $7 adults; $5 seniors and students.
Saturday, March 17th
Come to the Clifton Skatezone, located at 85 Third Street for our Annual Skate Paddy’s Day. Wear an article of clothing that is the color green (the material must be green) to the skate park, you skate for FREE at the open skate or bike session on this day. The best three St. Patrick’s Day outfits win 5 free skate passes.
In 1824 the Morris Canal & Banking Company was chartered to build a canal that would carry coal, mined in Pennsylvania, to developing markets along the eastern seaboard. The canal would pass through the heart of New Jersey’s iron district and provide the long-needed transportation system that would create new commercial activity in manufacturing towns like Boonton and agricultural communities like Clifton. When completed in 1831, the canal extended 102 miles across the rugged highlands of New Jersey, from Phillipsburg on the Delaware River, uphill to its summit level at Lake Hopatcong, and then down to New York Harbor at Jersey City. Mule-drawn canal boats transported up to 70 tons of cargo and took five days to cross the state. In the heyday of the canal, hundreds of boats carried everything from coal and iron ore to agricultural products. The canal promoted commerce and shaped the economic development of much of the northern part of the state. Today, plans are underway to develop the route of the canal as a corridor that will connect the many places where remains of the canal can still be seen. This series of walks will visit spots where Greenway project are already in place and explore the plans for future Greenway development.
Saturday, March 24 – 10:00 am
This tour will start at the Morris Canal Park & Jack W. Kuepfer Sr. Nature Preserve, 1115 Broad Street, where we will see a water filled section of the canal. We will spend time in the park exploring the history of the Morris Canal, showing maps, photos, and plans for a future Passaic County Greenway. We will then walk north on Broad Street along the route of the canal to the corner of Van Houten Avenue, once the village of Centerville. Along the way we will pass old farm houses dating back to a time when this part of Clifton was a farming community. This tour will take two hours (about two miles of mostly easy level walking on street sidewalks). The hike will start at Morris Canal Park & Jack W. Kuepfer Sr. Nature Preserve. Parking is limited so try to carpool if you can. Bring water and a snack. No facilities are available. In the event of bad weather, call the weather hotline at (973) 470-5680.
Tour Leaders: Members of the Canal Society of New Jersey. To reserve a Free place, please call Jennifer Gonzalez at (973) 569-4045 or e-mail jenniferg@passaiccountynj.org.
Saturday, April 7th (no rain date)
9:30 a.m.
This annual event, for children ages 3 – 12, will take place rain or shine at Nash Park on Lexington Avenue across from the Hot Grill. The park will be divided into 2 designated age group areas. Group #1 (3 – 5 years old): to the right of the playground toward Hamilton Avenue. Enter from Lexington Avenue near the Rose Garden. Group #2 (6 – 12 years old): to the left of the playground toward Randolph Avenue. Enter from Lexington Avenue. Each child is entitled to 10 eggs ONLY! Eggs are filled with candy and trinkets. A few special prize eggs will be hidden in each age group entitling recipient to a special prize. Participants may only find one special prize egg per child. Those winners will receive a small Easter Basket filled with games, toys & candy.
Parents are not permitted to participate in the hunt and must stay behind the starting line until the hunt is over; this includes the 3 – 5 year old area. Children participating in the 3 – 5 year old area should be able to walk on their own. Children under 3 can participate in the activities at Mrs. Bunny’s Playground, but not in the hunt. Youth ages 6 – 12 can come to Mrs. Bunny’s playground for a variety of activities after the hunt such as the “Bunny Launch”, “Bunny Beauty Shop”, “Bunny Train” and the “Bunny Bounce”. Also enter the Annual “Bunny Hop” to see how many times you can hop on a pogo stick for a maximum of 5 minutes. Highest score for boy & girl in each age group wins a prize (you must use the pogo stick provided by the Recreation Department). Don’t forget the other exciting activities listed below.
Breakfast with Bunny – 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Purchase breakfast at the Hot Grill on Lexington Avenue and while you are enjoying your breakfast treats, Mr. Bunny will come around to say hello and give Easter greetings to you and your family. Once your tummy is full, head over to the Easter Egg Hunt.
Easter Bonnet Parade – 10:00 a.m.
Enter the Easter Bonnet Parade and Contest. Meet at the front gate of Mrs. Bunny’s Playground wearing your Easter Bonnet. Prizes will be awarded to the best child hat and the best adult hat. Additional awards will be given for the funniest, most artistic and most creative hats (adult or child). All participants will receive a candy surprise.
Hound Dog Egg Hunt -10:00 a.m.
Join us for our 7th Annual Hound Dog Easter Egg Hunt. Meet to the right of the playground toward Hamilton Avenue. Please note that all dogs participating must be licensed with the City of Clifton and able to interact calmly with other dogs and people.
Monday, April 16th
6:30 p.m.
April 15th – April 21st, 2012 is National Volunteer Week; therefore, the Clifton Recreation Department will be hosting its Annual Volunteer Recognition Social at the Community Recreation Center to give recognition and thanks to the outstanding citizens and businesses that have supported the department and given back to the community by volunteering for our numerous events held in 2011. This year’s theme is “Everything Goes Better with Volunteers”.
Friday, April 20th
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Attention all dads and their daughters. Join us at the Community Recreation Center for our 8th Annual Daddy/ Daughter date night. Enjoy sandwiches, refreshments, dancing, contests, board games and more. This is a great opportunity to bond with your child and give mom some alone-time. Food will be served from 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. so please be prompt. The event is limited to 200 participants and tickets can be purchased at the Recreation Office. The pre-registration cost is $5.00 per daddy/daughter plus $2.00 for each additional daughter and $10.00 per daddy/daughter plus $5.00 for each additional daughter at the door (if tickets are still available).
Friday, April 27th
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28th
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the Clifton Recreation Department for our 7th Annual Arbor Day “Clean and Grow” Restoration Campaign at Morris Canal Park. If interested in volunteering, please contact the Recreation Department at (973) 470-5956.
Saturday, April 28th
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 29th
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Clifton Stamp Club will be sponsoring their Annual Spring show at the Community Recreation Center. Admission is free. For further information contact Tom Stidl at (973) 471-7872.
Sunday, April 29th
2:00 p.m.
Join the Clifton Recreation Department as we honor Robert E. Potts by dedicating the baseball field at Nash Park in his name. With a new look Nash Park, now is the right time to remind us of the history of this wonderful park.
Bob was an employee of the Clifton Recreation Department where he had administered the city’s sports programs for over 17 years before his retirement in August of 2003. Bob touched the lives of thousands of young men through sports and helped to make their lives better. To most he was known as “Mr. Baseball”. His knowledge of the games surpassed most. What he was most well known for were the semi-professional baseball teams that he ran, and originally played for: the Fair Lawn BBCs (1954-1958), the Paterson Phillies (1959-1967), the Clifton Phillies (1968-1999), and the Clifton Silk Sox (2002-2004). His Phillies and Silk Sox teams played 35 seasons at Nash Park. One of the things Bob was most proud of was that 7 players from his Phillies teams that made it to the major leagues.
A ceremonial dedication will be conducted on the 29th. Prior to that date, we are seeking individuals who would be interested in being a part of this event. Individuals with knowledge about Bob, the Clifton Phillies/Silk Sox or Nash Park should contact Debbie at the Recreation Office or email doliver@cliftonnj.org and put “Mr. Baseball” in the subject line.
Wednesday, May 2nd
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
More than fifty years ago, West Side Story changed musical theatre forever – and now it’s making history again with this tour of the acclaimed 2009 Broadway revival at NJPAC this Spring. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the greatest love stories of all time. The ageless score by Leonard Bernstein and Steven Sondheim including the standards of “Tonight”, “America”, “Maria”, “I feel Pretty” and “Somewhere” is regarded as one of the best ever written for the stage, and the extraordinary choreography by Jerome Robbins did nothing less than rewrite the language of Broadway dance. Join the Clifton Recreation Department for this extraordinary show. Tickets cost $50.00 per person (2nd tier) and include the musical and transportation. Trip leaves from in front of Clifton City Hall at 6:00 p.m. sharp and returns approximately 10:30 p.m. Tickets are limited. Tickets can be purchased at the Recreation Office.
Download a copy of the waiver here. Each adult must completed their own waiver form. Parents/guardians please include information for your spouse and each child that is attending from your family on your waiver.
Saturday, May 19th &
Sunday, May 20th
Join the Clifton Recreation Department and the “Get Over It” Volleyball Team, for our annual “Fun in the Sun” Grass Volleyball Tournament. Taking the traditional format of a grass tournament and adding some fun features this event is designed to provide an enjoyable experience for both veteran grass players as well as those who are new to the outdoor game. The number and variety of divisions will be based on registration.
Saturday: Men’s & Women’s Doubles
Coed Quads
Sunday: Reverse Co-ed Doubles
Men’s & Women’s Quads
Pre registration is recommended. The cost is $25.00 per team member and $30.00 on the day of the tournament. There is an additional $5.00 discount for Clifton Residents. High school students will receive an additional discount. All players must check in by 8:30 a.m. Players arriving late will be charged an additional $5.00.
Raffles, giveaways, contests and prizes, for division winners, will help to make the tournament even more enjoyable. Come to watch or come to play. Register at the Recreation Office or call (973) 470-5956 for additional information.
Jubilee Park
Sundays May 27th and August 26th
Main Memorial Park
Saturdays June 9th, September 8th and November 10th
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
JC Marketplaces will be sponsoring these upcoming flea markets to benefit the Clifton Recreation Department and its programs. Spend the day shopping and support your favorite organization.
Please click here to enter the main City of Clifton web site, www.cliftonnj.org.