Forty Years Ago This Week, Cranford Revived Its River Carnival

The Cranford River Carnival began as a simple idea in the mid-1880s. Santiago Porcella, a Holly Street resident, had strung Japanese lanterns over his boat before taking his children for an evening ride. What started as a family tradition inspired the Cranford River Improvement Association to organize the first formal River Carnival on August 1, 1886. Twenty-five decorated canoes traveled a three-mile route from the Union Avenue dam to Hampton Hall and back. The event captured the imagination of the community and beyond.

Roselle resident William Sulzer, who would later become governor of New York, compared the spectacle to a "night in Venice," giving Cranford its enduring nickname: the "Venice of New Jersey." The carnivals became major summer events with illuminated bridges and crowds that sometimes approached 20,000. The tradition continued until 1928, when complaints about damage to private riverfront property led the community to suspend the celebration.

The River Carnival returned periodically for major anniversaries: 1961, 1964, 1971, and 1976. Forty years ago this month—September 13, 1986—the Cranford River Improvement Association and Union County Life editors revived the tradition with the Centennial River Carnival at Nomahegan Park, drawing an estimated 8,000 residents.

The 1986 celebration honored the original spirit of the tradition while adapting to modern safety concerns. Dan Aschenbach, who chaired the 11-member River Carnival Centennial Committee, recalled that a previous River Carnival held on the river had ended when a lighted canoe caught fire under a bridge after the county replaced it with a lower structure. Aschenbach replaced the old lights with battery-driven ones to prevent future accidents, allowing the tradition to continue safely.

The 1986 event began the night before with three lantern-lit canoes departing from the Cranford Canoe Club to reenact the original 1886 tradition. The main celebration featured canoe races beginning at 11:30 a.m., followed by the River Carnival Float Promenade with fifteen water floats crossing the lake. The floats traveled alongside exhibits of Victorian children's games, antique automobiles, and art displays. Live music filled Nomahegan Park as Dr. Homer Hall, portraying early settler Josiah Crane, narrated the promenade.

The 1986 carnival also served a forward-looking purpose. The River Maintenance Committee displayed cleanup projects, and a new Friends of Nomahegan Park group collected 458 signatures seeking park improvements. The celebration concluded with a River Heritage Celebration and regatta at Droescher's Mill Park on September 17, 1988, continuing the revival of Cranford's most storied civic tradition.

President Ronald Reagan sent a written greeting that Mayor Doug Nordstrom read from the stage, acknowledging the significance of the event to the community.

FAQ

Q: When did Cranford's River Carnival tradition begin?

A: The Cranford River Carnival began in the mid-1880s as a family tradition started by Santiago Porcella, a Holly Street resident who would take his children on lantern-lit canoe rides. The Cranford River Improvement Association organized the first formal River Carnival on August 1, 1886, with twenty-five decorated canoes.

Q: How did Cranford get the nickname "Venice of New Jersey"?

A: William Sulzer, a Roselle resident who later became governor of New York, attended an early River Carnival and was so impressed by the illuminated canoes and festive atmosphere that he compared it to a "night in Venice." The comparison stuck, and Cranford has carried the nickname ever since.

Q: Why did the River Carnival stop in 1928?

A: The tradition was suspended in 1928 after complaints arose about damage to private riverfront property caused by the large crowds and festivities. Though the original carnival on the river ended, the tradition was revived periodically for major anniversaries beginning in 1961.

Q: How did the community revive the River Carnival in 1986?

A: For the Centennial River Carnival on September 13, 1986, the celebration was moved to Nomahegan Park for safety and crowd management. The event featured fifteen water floats, canoe races, Victorian children's games, antique automobiles, art exhibits, and live music. An estimated 8,000 Cranford residents attended.

Q: What safety changes were made to the River Carnival tradition?

A: A key safety innovation was replacing traditional lanterns with battery-driven lights for the canoes. This change was implemented after a previous River Carnival experienced a fire when a lighted canoe caught fire under a bridge. Battery-powered lights allowed the tradition to continue safely.

Q: Has the River Carnival tradition continued since 1986?

A: Yes. A River Heritage Celebration and regatta were held at Droescher's Mill Park on September 17, 1988, continuing the revival of Cranford's historic civic tradition. The community has maintained this important cultural celebration.