Events and Workshops
3rd Annual GRDIA Picnic
Please join Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association (GRDIA) for our 3rd annual picnic on Sunday, September 17 from 2:00-5:00PM. The event will be held at Hurrell Field in Glen Ridge and will feature food trucks, live music, and games to celebrate diversity in our community! All are welcome!
Food trucks will be parked on Belleville Ave alongside Hurrell Field. Come hungry and nosh on offerings from Kapamilya Foodtruck, Hot Dog Lady, Silantro Lime Tacos and The Towne Scoop.
Catch some music by local bands Carlos Frias & Circulo Social, Jessica Owen with Paul Byrne, Moose Revolution and The Senegalese Sabar Band.
The mission of GRDIA is to create and foster an environment where all people feel welcome and included in Glen Ridge. The community-led coalitions of GR Black Diversity and Inclusion Association and GR Pan Asian American Association are part of the larger umbrella organization of GRDIA, which continues to evolve with the inclusion of new constituencies to foster DEI. Learn more at grdia.org.
Thank you to the GR Parks & Recreation and GR Police Department for their assistance and support!
Lantern Festival hosted by AAPI Montclair
Visit our table as we join AAPI and other community members light thousands of lanterns in remembrance of those harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate.
Learn more about event here.
Glen Ridge Arts and Eco Fair
Join the GR community in this annual event. Stop by our booth for stickers, sidewalk chalk and our “gram” photo space!
(Rain date May 21!)
AAPI Montclair Lunar New Year Celebration
GRDIA is proud to be a Co-Presenter to AAPI Montclair’s LNY Celebration! AAPI Montclair invites you to kick off the 2023 Lunar New Year with a day of festivities at the Montclair Art Museum. Lunar New Year is a time of hope where family, friends, and neighbors come together to rejoice in new beginnings as we look ahead to a peaceful and prosperous year. Cheer on lion dancers and enjoy live performances from local artists and students from our local schools. March in the dragon parade or try your hand at one of our family friendly crafts. Sample a variety of scrumptious eats and browse specialty merchandise from local vendors. Your ticket also gives you full access to the beautiful galleries inside the Montclair Art Museum.
Reserve your tickets here!
All Co-Presenters:
Fort Lee Chinese American Community 李堡华人
Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association
Korean United Presbyterian Church
Professional Filipino American Youth
United Asian Voices of West Orange
Vietnamese Boat People Podcast
Welcome to Glen Ridge Movie!
GRDIA is honored to be a GR 2022 Film Fund Grant recipient!
We are excited to embark on a short film project that will capture "getting to know" our Glen Ridge community through a series of interviews and town features. We look forward to sharing the unique and diverse community that Glen Ridge has to offer.
Shoot dates will take place 2/11-2/12 at The Glen Ridge Library. An additional shoot date in March might also be added.
We Want to Interview You! We are looking for participants of ALL AGES for our film!
Submit your interview survey HERE and we will be in touch about scheduling.
Film Crew Needed! Calling all gaffers, grips, and sound people, experienced and those
interested in learning on the set. High school and adult volunteers are welcome to participate as film crew assistants! Sign up HERE.
Submission for interviews and crew will close January 31, 2023.
MLK Day of Service
In observance of MLK Day, GRDIA is looking for volunteers to help sort and organize supplies at Toni's Kitchen so they operate smoothly and efficiently. Our efforts will support Toni's Kitchen in their mission to help our neighbors "in ways that respect their dignity, improve health and foster independence."
Sign up for a volunteering slot here!
*If high school students need sign-off on volunteer hours, please bring your document
listing the service date and hours, and a Toni's Kitchen or GRDIA member will sign for you.
GRDIA Picnic
Kick off the school year at the Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association picnic in the Glen this Saturday, September 17 from 1:00-3:00PM (rain date: September 18). The picnic will feature food and entertainment to celebrate diversity in our community, including:
Food trucks: Empanada Lady, Kapamilya Foodtruck, Mochinut, Silantro Lime Tacos, Hot Dog Lady, Ann’s Catering and Jacks Ice Cream.
Music: local bands ABCD, BARD, and Jessica Owen with Paul Byrne.
Performance: a special Chinese Yo Yo performance by Glen Ridge Middle School's Mr. Hsieh!
Games: tables will be set up to learn to play Mahjong, Spades and Dominos with instruction. Lawn games for the younger set will also be on hand.
Be sure to bring a chair or blanket and your refillable water bottle! We will have a water station but no plastic water bottles please!
Please note Hillside Ave. between Bloomfield Ave. and Snowden Place will be closed to vehicle traffic. Parking will be available at Central School lot.
Thank you to the GR Town Council, GR Police Department, GR Board of Education, GR Eco and Arts Fair for their assistance and support!
Glen Ridge Arts & Eco Fair
Visit our booth during this annual community event! Bring your gently loved diverse picture books and novels to our book nook swap and go home with a new read. We will have a flag of nations Lego station to keep the little ones busy while you check out our new custom GRDIA tees and snacks for sale. Be sure to contribute to our community wall!
All proceeds from sales and tickets will go to GRDIA to support future community projects and events.
Learn to Play Mahjong!
Hosted by Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association
Curious about this tile-based game? Enjoy an evening of noshing on Asian-inspired snacks, learn history of the game and fundamentals of how to play Mahjong. Guides will instruct the rules of how to build a winning hand and players will gain enough familiarity that they will be able to play on their own! Tickets are $30 and RSVP is required as space is limited.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
PLATINUM
Loan Depot — The Keechian Team
GOLD
Innovative Foot and Ankle, The Gavin Family and Mad X Training, LLC
SILVER
Bautis Financial, RLH global, LLC , The Henry Family and The Wan Family
Open Hearth Cooking: Explore African American Foodways
Presented by Durand-Hedden House & Garden
History at Home Matinee: Black Americans in the Revolution
Presented by Montclair Historical Society
Sugarplums and St. Nick: Children’s Holiday Tours
Presented by The Montclair History Museum