Boonton has a way of pulling you in. For me, being part of this town isn’t simply living here—it means showing up, getting involved, and telling its story. I’m an active member of this community, and if you’ve spent any time around town, there’s a good chance you’ve seen some of my content promoting it. My roots in theater run deep, but so does my connection to Boonton. Both are about people, storytelling, and creating something meaningful together.
I’m involved with Boonton Main Street (BMS), Boonton Recreation, and Boonton Elks Lodge #1405. Each organization has its own purpose, but they complement one another in ways that strengthen our community. Sometimes collaboration is formal; often, it’s simply people showing up. We attend each other’s events, share information, volunteer, and support the work happening around us. Those gestures may seem small, but they matter.
Boonton Main Street does tremendous work keeping downtown active and welcoming through the Farmers Market, First Fridays, holiday decorations, the planter program and, most recently, Taste of Boonton. These programs bring people downtown, support local businesses, and give neighbors reasons to connect.
Boonton Recreation creates those opportunities across generations. There’s Boonton Day, the Car Show, Trick or Treat Trail (our first-ever Haunted Trail), summer camp, sports leagues, holiday lightings, and programs for children, adults, and seniors. BMS and Boonton Rec have also continued improving Canalside Park, including renovating the basketball court and installing brand-new pickleball courts. Meanwhile, the BMS Design Team has worked with Boonton Parks and Recreation to remove invasive plants and care for the park.
The Boonton Fire Department gives us Labor Day weekend with its beloved carnival and parade, followed later in the year by our Christmas parade. The Historic Preservation Committee helps protect Main Street’s historic character. The Green Team keeps environmental issues and sustainability in the conversation. The Boonton Historical Society preserves the stories that remind us where we came from. And the Elks contribute through charitable work, events, and support for local causes.
That balance between honoring our past and moving forward is important to me. Without progress, a community risks being forgotten. But progress doesn’t mean erasing what came before. Boonton’s history is part of its identity, and respecting it while continuing to grow is what makes Boonton, USA so unique.
What people don’t always see is the work behind it all. Take a public art project like a mural. Before anyone sees the finished piece, there can be months of coordination: finding the right artist, making sure the artist understands Boonton's vision, securing board votes, obtaining permission from a building owner, and, for public spaces, getting Town approval.
First Friday is another perfect example. The street closure lasts only a few hours, but planning takes months. Because Main Street is a county road, there are additional approvals. Permits, Town and county coordination, police, DPW, expenses, communication with businesses, and the enormous job of getting information out to the community.
Behind all of it are volunteers.
That’s the part I wish more people understood. These organizations are run by people willing to roll up their sleeves, show their faces, and get involved. They plan, set up, clean up, answer questions, solve problems, and then come back and do it again. We do it because we love this town. We want other people to see the beauty in Boonton the way we do—the history, pride, personality, and heart that make it special.
And there is plenty more ahead. The coming year will bring First Friday street closures, the Winter Market at the Elks, Taste of Boonton, the annual Car Show, the Santa Parade, another Labor Day Weekend, Boonton history lessons, and many other programs and events.
There is always something happening here, but keeping that momentum going requires participation. Supporting Boonton doesn’t have to mean joining three organizations or spending every weekend volunteering. Follow these groups on social media. Visit their websites. Send an email. Volunteer when you can. Or simply show up.
Come to an event. Meet the people behind it. Talk to your neighbors. Support a local business.
Community isn’t something that just exists around us. It’s something we create together. And every time someone chooses to show up, Boonton becomes a little stronger.
@boontonrec @btnmainstreet @boontonelkslodge1405 @boontonhistoricalsociety @boontongreenteam
There is so much pride, history, community, and heart here, and it’s the volunteers who help bring that to life.
We'll be forgotten if we don’t move forward. At the same time, we must maintain and respect our history. That's what makes Boonton so unique.