Mark your calendars! La Festa Italiana, Jersey City’s biggest Italian festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church returns in August with live bands, great food, and games & rides for the kids!

La Festa Italiana begins Wed, Aug 7^th, and runs through Sun, Aug 11^th, from 5-to-11 pm daily. Located on 6^th & Brunswick Streets, in the neighborhood surrounding Holy Rosary Church, La Festa Italiana will dazzle festivalgoers with delicious dishes from popular bistros; frothy brews from neighborhood bars; and crowd-pleasing Jersey bands that play the hottest hits every night from 7-to-11 pm.

“People love this event,” Festival Chairman Nick Grillo says. “They plan days off, vacations, even weddings around these five days. It’s wonderful to still see so much excitement around this century-old event in this ever-changing city.”

LIVE BANDS

This year’s entertainment is a Who’s Who of musical talent playing top hits from Bruno Mars to Bruce Springsteen and a new band performs every night. On Wed, Aug 7^th, YOU’VE GOT 90s  takes the stage with the best of 90s pop tunes.

“You’ve Got 90s is thrilled to kick off this year’s La Festa Italiana with our high-energy blend of 90s rock, pop, hip-hop, dance, and alternative music, ” Bass player Adam Zurbruegg says. “We can’t wait to be a part of this historic tradition.”

On Thursday, Aug 8: PROMISED LAND, an E-Street Tribute Bandperforms, and on Friday, Aug 9: RYAN’S EXPRESS. Saturday, Aug 10: crowd favorite THE CAMEOS return, and, on closing night, Sun, Aug 11: TOTAL SOUL, the 9-piece band that plays dance hits like ‘Shout’ and ‘Proud Mary’.

DELICIOUS FOODS

It wouldn’t be La Festa without an authentic sausage and peppers on a hard roll and DELLANO’S is back once again to bring festival goers those traditional Italian sandwiches. A big hit with La Festa-goers, the KREME BAR returns with their yummy, cheesy mozz arepas: “We always look forward to participating in La Festa Italiana,” owner Karen Herrera says. “ For the past 10 years they have made us feel like family. It’s the one event of the year that doesn’t feel like we are working. It’s just a good time with amazing people and music.” 

The post JOIN THE FUN AT LA FESTA ITALIANA 2024 first appeared on River View Observer.

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that Bayonne is hosting its fourth food truck festival on Saturday, May 6, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Mayor Davis said, “We look forward to welcoming the food truck festival back to Avenue E. This great event will offer people a day to try cuisine from the best food trucks in the region.  We look forward to seeing both Bayonne residents and visitors from neighboring communities as we bring the food trucks back to our city.  The festival will welcome people to our community to celebrate the spring and to see how great Bayonne is.”  Mayor Davis continued, “The City of Bayonne encourages people to arrive by Light Rail at the 22^nd Street Station.  It will be an easy way to come to the festival and see what Bayonne has to offer.”

The post Food Truck Festival Set for Bayonne on Saturday, May 6th first appeared on River View Observer.

Music, Dancing & Fellowship; Wed, Aug. 15–Sun, Aug. 19, 5pm–11pm

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) Everyone is family at Holy Rosary Church, and to celebrate our extended family, the Very Rev. Pastor Jerzy “Jurek” R. Zaslona invites everyone to La Festa Italiana, the annual Italian street festival held in August in Historic Downtown Jersey City.

Starting, Wed, Aug. 15, from 5-11 pm, and running every day through Sunday, Aug. 19^th, La Festa Italiana will transform 6^th & Brunswick Streets into a lively block party filled with vendors selling delicious ethnic foods, bands playing chart-topping hits, and rides and games guaranteed to give kids memories that last a lifetime.

The Bands

The entertainment roster for this yearâ€s La Festa Italiana is a Whoâ€s Who of talent who will get festival-goers swinging and dancing in the streets. Hereâ€s the schedule:  Opening night, Wed, Aug 15: THE CAMEOS; Thurs, Aug 16: DJ CARLOS SOUNDS; Fri, Aug 17: FIRST KISS; Sat, Aug 18: SUNSET SOUNDZ; and on closing night, Sun, Aug 19: TOTAL SOUL. Along with the bands, a DJ plays tunes at the corner of 6^th & Brunswick Streets – every night of the festival!

New to La Festa Italiana and looking forward to rocking the crowd is the band SUNSET SOUNDZ based in North Hudson. Band member Tony Annacone says the band may be new to La Festa Italiana, but theyâ€ve been playing together a long time and know how to get the crowd jazzed up: “We play Big Band songs from the 1940s all the way to Bruno Mars. We canâ€t wait to perform.”

On Sunday night, the 10-piece band Total Soul will take to the stage. This will be the bandâ€s eighth consecutive year performing at La Festa Italiana. Bandleader Jeff Deitrle says the band keeps coming back for the receptive crowd, and to help Holy Rosary. “We get everybody dancing,” Deitrle says, “and we like supporting the church.”

A Foodieâ€s Paradise

La Festa Italiana will be a “Foodieâ€s Paradise” with Food Trucks like Dellanoâ€s/ Anna Mariaâ€s mouth-watering Italian sausage sandwiches, Gyros and shish-ke-babs; and “Hold My Knots”, garlic knot chicken, meatball and eggplant parm sliders. The NYC Mac Truck will have dishes like deep fried mac ‘n†cheese bites; and Jerkin†Chicken will be cooking Caribbean jerk chicken, and rice and beans dishes.

NJ Corn Stars – grilled corn with all the toppings – returns along with Delenioâ€s pizza by-the-slice, pastas and Italian specialties. Las Delicios del Calvo will be serving tasty Latin treats like chorizo, rice and beans, and non-alcoholic Pina Coladas. Maison Creperie will be making yummy dessert crepes and smoothies. O La La Empanadas will be firing up delicious empanadas and other Latin specialties.

White Star Bar which offers craft beers & specialty cocktails returns to La Festa along with Maglioneâ€s Italian Ices; Mozzareppa; and VEGBAR Juice+Grub, specializing in fresh vegan juices. Lydia & Patâ€s Fresh Seafood Bar returns and gourmet gelati lovers will be thrilled that Giaâ€s Gelato will be back. So will Al & Marianneâ€s Pure & Simple Flatbreads with their artisanal brick-oven pizzas.

“La Festa Italiana is like coming home,” Marianne says. “Itâ€s a great neighborhood feast; so much fun. Itâ€s the one festival we look forward to every year. We love it!”

A huge highlight this year will be Fr. Jurekâ€s Authentic Polish Table, where Holy Rosaryâ€s pastor will be donning an apron and serving up specialties like kielbasa and pierogi. For ice cream lovers, Kreme Rollers will have the newest taste sensation, custom-rolled ice cream filled with delicious sweets.  

Another new taste-treat, “Bacon Me Crazy” will delight festival-goers with hotdogs wrapped in bacon, and other treats. Owner Kathleen Sullivan, a Jersey City resident, says sheâ€s thrilled to be in La Festa Italiana this year: “Jersey City is an exciting place to be. “Itâ€s ‘foodieâ€. Itâ€s community. I canâ€t wait to sprinkle bacon all over it.”

For the kids, La Festa Italiana will have lots of rides and games, and Cynthiaâ€s Face Painting, too. A new festival highlight will be the “The HRC $10 Flea Market” held in the Parish Center Caffe where all the items will be just $10. Holy Rosary also supports local non-profits. This year, parishioner Stephanie Panzariello will oversee the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) program that raises funds for young burn victims admitted to the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas in Livingston. Throughout La Festa, red bagged-barrels will be available for festival-goers to recycle their aluminum cans. All the proceeds from the collected cans will go to the Burn Center.

As La Festaâ€s Opening Day – Wed, Aug. 15^th – draws near, Holy Rosary parishioners are busily preparing Italian specialties that attract festival-goers, year-after-year. Treats like Zeppoles showered in powdered-sugar, and Rice Balls (Arancini) drizzled with tomato gravy. At “A Taste of Campobasso”, weâ€ll have our Famous Wine & Peaches, and home-brewed Limoncello and Creamcello made by The Assunta Wine Girls, who will also be serving fine Italian wines. At Caffe Italiano, Holy Rosaryâ€s church ladies will sell freshly-made cookies, cakes, cannolis, pies, coffee and tea. Hourly and Super 50/50 raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the five-day festival; and, the popular Money Wheel will return to its original location in the backyard opposite Caffe Italiano.

Sponsors

La Festa Italiana is grateful for the vital financial support of our sponsors, especially our Platinum Sponsor Adapting Social, a design and marketing agency in Asbury Park and New York. President and owner John Vagueiro says that as a dedicated Catholic, he believes in giving back to the church: “Church and community are first and foremost,” Vagueiro says. “Holy Rosary really cares. I know church members who love the church. The most important thing is keeping God first and supporting the churchâ€s work.”

Our Gold Sponsor, Ziggyâ€s Auto Body, also deserves our thanks, as well as our Silver Sponsors Monteleoneâ€s Bakery, Riotto Funeral Home, The Brunswick School, Commonwealth Trucking/Fleetwood Forwarding, Tony Ferrara & Associates, SILVERMAN, and GothamWest. GothamWest owner Nima Nili says Holy Rosaryâ€s La Festa Italiana is a valued tradition for the Downtown Jersey City community: “Itâ€s where old traditions persevere and new traditions are created each year. GothamWest Builders would like to thank the Holy Rosary community for making it happen!”

We thank our Diamond Sponsors, too: LeeMark Electric, The Ambriola Cheese Company, Panepinto Properties, Sorrentino Electric, Catholic Cemeteries, DePierro Raddington LLC, and Yelp!

Triduum, and Feast Day Masses

On Sun, Aug. 12 through Wed, Aug. 15, Holy Rosary Church will hold the Assumption & St. Rocco Triduum. On the Opening Day of La Festa Italiana, Aug. 15, at 11 am, the Feast Day Mass in veneration of Maria SS. Dellâ€Assunta – a holy day of obligation – will be celebrated. Fr. Jurek, who serves as Dean of the Deanery, along with clergy of the Deanery, will offer Mass followed by a traditional street procession where the Holy Statue of Maria SS. Dellâ€Assunta will be carried through the streets as a blessing to the Downtown Jersey City community.

The St. Rocco Feast Day Mass will be offered on Thurs, Aug. 16, at 11 am, also followed by a traditional street procession. La Festa Italiana celebrates many traditions throughout the year. Fr. Jurek says: “Traditions and customs define us as a community and La Festa gives us the opportunity to become a more integrated community. When people come to La Festa, they come for the music and the food, but they also come for the fellowship, to see friends, and create happy memories for their children. We are here to serve the people of Jersey City.”

Founded in 1885, Holy Rosary Church is the first Italian Roman Catholic Parish in New Jersey; and La Festa Italiana is Holy Rosaryâ€s special way of saying thank you to its parishioners and neighbors. This year, the church celebrates 133 years of serving the spiritual needs of its parish and the Historic Downtown Jersey City community. For many years, La Festa Italiana has been the churchâ€s biggest fundraiser for the restoration and upkeep of the church. During La Festa Italiana 2018, the Church will be open for visitors to see, up close, the magnificent beauty that is Holy Rosary Church. Visitors are also welcome to donate a 7-day Memorial Candle in memory of a loved-one.

For more information, please call us at (201) 795-0120 or (201) 776-9222, or visit our website: www.lafestaitalianajc.com;

our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/lafestaitalianajc; and our Instagram page, @holyrosarynj.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN JERSEY CITYâ€S OLDEST ITALIAN 

FESTIVAL

 THE  FIRST  ITALIAN  PARISH  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  JERSEY

The post LA FESTA ITALIANA: THAT’S AMORÉ! first appeared on River View Observer.

  La Festa Italiana 2017 Rocks On in JC

  Holy Rosary Church Celebrates Great Food, Fab Drinks, and Live Music

By Sally Deering

 At every turn youâ€ll see a familiar face at La Festa Italiana Jersey City 2017, Holy Rosary Churchâ€s 114^th annual “Old World” Italian Street Festival to be held in Downtown Jersey City. For five consecutive days and nights, from Wed, Aug. 9th through Sun, Aug. 13th, Sixth & Brunswick Streets will be rockin†with live bands, swinging soloists, fabulous foods, thirst-quenching drinks and frolicking fun for the kids. (Hours are Wed-Fri, 5 pm-11 pm; Sat & Sun, 3 pm-11 pm.)

The entertainment roster is a Whoâ€s Who of talent that gets the hips swaying and the heart thumping. Groups like The B-Street Band, The Cameos and Total Soul know how to get Festa-goers dancing in the streets. Callahanâ€s Hot Dogs, Delenioâ€s pizza, Giaâ€s Gelato and Pure & Simple Flatbreads†brick oven pizzas are just a few of the vendors offering delicious food & libations.

As the countdown to Aug. 9th begins, Holy Rosary parishioners are busily preparing their special La Festa treats like home-made Rice Balls (Arancini) and lemony Limoncello made by The Assunta Wine Girls who, this year, will also be serving Lemon-Limecello and Grapefruitcello. On the 5^th and final day of La Festa (Sunday) Pastor Jurek Zaslona will pick the winner of the “Super 50/50” Raffle. (Tickets for the Super 50/50 can be purchased throughout La Festa.) Last yearâ€s winning ticket-holder won $9,079!

132-YEAR HISTORY

 Founded in 1885, Holy Rosary Church is the first Italian Roman Catholic Parish in New Jersey. Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, the Rev. Jerzy (Jurek) Zaslona, says La Festa Italiana pays tribute to the Churchâ€s 132-year history and strengthens community ties. 

“Traditions and customs define us as a community and La Festa gives us the opportunity to become a more integrated community,” Rev. Zaslona says. “When people come to La Festa, they come for the music and the food, but they also come for the fellowship, to see friends and create happy memories for their children. As a church, we are here to serve the people of Jersey City.”

Entertainment this year has some real standouts for music lovers.

Wed, Aug 9                     DJ Dan E Ariazza

                                             Elio Scaccio

Thurs, Aug 10               DJ Mike Greco

Fri, Aug 11                      The B-Street Band

Sat, Aug 12                     DJ Jude Luongo

                                             The Cameos

Sun, Aug 13    DJ Dan Drake

                                             Total Soul

The B-Street Band (Bruce Springsteen Cover Band) Plays Friday Night

Total Soul, the 9-piece band that plays popular tunes from Motown to Bruno Mars takes the stage Sunday night. This is their sixth year back and two of its members, guitarist Jack Broad and lead singer Derrick Dupree hail from Jersey City. Trombone player Jeff Deitrle says the band enjoys playing La Festa Italiana because it loves to get the crowds dancing in the street.

“We get everybody dancing,” Deitrle says. “Everyone knows our songs because we play the best of the best.”

HOT ZEPPOLES, ITALIAN SAUSAGE & MORE!

La Festa Italiana will be a “Foodieâ€s Paradise” with vendors like Maglioneâ€s Italian Ices; Mozzareppa; VEGBAR Juice+Grub specializing in fresh vegan juices, smoothies, salads, wraps & tacos; mouth-watering Italian sausage sandwiches, Greek specialties, and delicious desserts like home-made Cannolis on sale at Caffe Italiano in Holy Rosaryâ€s backyard.

Callahanâ€s Hot Dogs food truck, which sells those big, crunchy hot dogs smothered in sauerkraut and onions, will also be back. Many locals remember Callahanâ€s roadside hotdog haven that Leonard Castrianni opened back in 1950 in Fort Lee. Castrianniâ€s grandson, Daniel DeMiglio now runs the business and will be manning Callahanâ€s big yellow truck all five nights of La Festa. DeMiglio plans to sell Callahanâ€s famous hotdogs and award-winning hamburgers, and to visit his dad Ronald DeMiglioâ€s old “Village” neighborhood.

“Itâ€s an incredible experience to be at La Festa Italiana and be back where my dad grew up,” Daniel DeMiglio says. “It means a lot to me to be there. This year, our big yellow Callahanâ€s truck will be at La Festa all five nights and weâ€ll be doing classic dogs and fries.”

Other ‘stars†of La Festa are the Seafood Bar serving fresh clams & oysters, and the White Star Bar which offers craft beers & specialty cocktails. The Hourly 50/50s will be on sale throughout the five-day feast with prizes every hour. The popular Money Wheel is back in its original location in Caffe Italiano, located behind the church.

TRIDUUM & PROCESSIONS

Religious traditions are an integral aspect of La Festa Italiana, which honors the veneration of Maria SS. Dellâ€Assunta & San Rocco. A Triduum from Sat, Aug 12 through Tues, Aug. 15 will be celebrated in veneration of Our Lady of the Assumption and in honor of St. Rocco. On Tues., Aug. 15, at 11 am, the Feast Day Mass in veneration of Maria SS. Dellâ€Assunta, a holy day of obligation, will be celebrated by Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of Newark. A traditional Street Procession will follow.

On Wed., Aug 16, at 11 am, a Feast of Saint Rocco Healing Mass with the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated followed by a traditional Street Procession.

La Festa Italianaâ€s financial support comes from local sponsorship like Gold Sponsor Star Industries, and Silver Sponsors GothamWest, Monteleoneâ€s Bakery, The Brunswick School, Nicholas J. Grillo, and Commonwealth Trucking/Fleetwood Forwarding. Diamond Sponsors are Catholic Cemeteries, Sorrentino Electric, and Yelp. Riotto Funeral Home is the Silver-Super 50/50 Raffle Sponsor.

“Holy Rosary Church and La Festa Italiana have been pillars of the Italian American Community of Jersey City,” Manager Richard J. Riotto says. â€œIt is a testimony to the organizers and volunteers that have worked tirelessly for generations to preserve their heritage.”

La Festa Italiana is Holy Rosary Churchâ€s special way of saying thank you to its parishioners and neighbors, as it celebrates 132 years of serving the spiritual needs of its parish and the Historic Downtown Jersey City community.

 For many years, La Festa Italiana has been the churchâ€s biggest fundraiser for the restoration and upkeep of the church. During La Festa Italiana 2017, the Church will be open for visitors to see up close the magnificent beauty that is Holy Rosary Church. Visitors are also welcome to donate a 7-day Memorial Candle in memory of a loved-one.

If you go

Wed, Aug. 9-Sun, Aug. 13

(Wed-Fri, 5-11 pm; Sat & Sun, 3-11 pm)

LA FESTA ITALIANA 2017

344 Sixth St, JC

(201) 795-0120

www.lafestaitalianajc.com

www.Facebook.com/lafestaitalianajc

The post ZEPPOLES, RAFFLES, DANCING— LA FESTA IS BACK!!!   first appeared on River View Observer.

    Visit the Bayonne Renaissance Festival on July 22nd for some Medieval Fun!

   Where Pirates Sing, Knights Joust, and a Magician Breathes Fire in a Kilt

 By Sally Deering

 Theater troupes have a passion for costumed period pieces and the Bayonne Theater Company has gone back to the Middle Ages to bring Boho residents and visitors some rollicking medieval fun.

The 2^nd annual Bayonne Renaissance Festival happens Sat, July 22^nd from noon to 7 pm and much of the entertainment is a step back in time. For instance, when was the last time you witnessed a joust, watched a pirate sing and dance, or caught a Celtic Magician dressed in a kilt breathe fire?

Thatâ€s just some of the fun Adam J. Semanchick, President of the Bayonne Theater Company and the Bayonne Renaissance Committee has up their chain mail sleeves when they turn the G. Thomas DiDomenico Park into an amphitheater filled with music, Shakespeare, games, food and lots of medieval shenanigans.

This is the second year for the Bayonne Renaissance Festival and Semanchick says 2017 is going to be a banner year for the event with more entertainment, more concessions, more childrenâ€s activities and special offerings for the adults, too. Couples that want to renew their vows will get their chance to say “I Do” once again at the Vow Renewal tent run by Gia Pace.

“Weâ€ll have a little service; it will be Renaissance-themed,” Semanchick says. “Itâ€s the first year weâ€re doing it.”

Moving things along throughout the day will be the Bayonne Theater Companyâ€s troupe of 30 members performing their best wench and knight imitations along with a special Shakespeare performance of LOVEâ€S LABOURâ€S LOST by Stratford-Upon-Duncan in Jersey City.

Flanked by fans, Bayonne City Council members Gary LePelusa and Sal Gullace portrayed knights in 2016

“The theater company has only been around three years,” Semanchick says. “We just did GOD by Woody Allen. It was well-attended. We did HOORAY FOR HOMOCIDE, a murder mystery. This started as a Shakespeare in the Park event and before you knew it, we were running a Renaissance Festival. Our first year we started out small. Weâ€re getting bigger as we go. People join us and stick around.”

Three stages will be set up in DiDomenico Park with acts performing throughout the day, Semanchick says. The Gazebo will be used for Shakespeareâ€s LOVEâ€S LABOURâ€S LOST by Stratford-Upon-Duncan. Other entertainers include Firebreather Daniel GreenWolf.

“This year weâ€re adding jousting, archery, a blacksmith, a fiddler, a bar band, and a local art show,” Semanchick says. “Our art curator Erin Kachmar runs the Jewish Community Center Art Gallery in Bayonne. About 30 artists, all Bayonne & JC artists., will be displaying their works.” 

BCB Bank and Carepoint Health are sponsors for this yearâ€s event, Semanchick says, and the theater company has been scouting acts for the event.

“Weâ€ve been pulling acts from other Renaissance Festivals,” Semanchick says. “Weâ€ve been scouting around and and got to meet some really cool acts. And we brought every act back from last year.”

Pirate Charles Waldron from Valhalla Pirates with Gabriel DeMaria

Along with firebreather Daniel GreenWolf, other entertainers will be knife-thrower Doug Stafford who also does the Philadelphia Renaissance Fair; the Valhalla Pirates featuring live cannon fire. (The leader of the Pirate crew is chiropractor Charles Waldron of Bayonne.) The Knights of Avalon will perform sword fights and the Crimson Pirates featuring Dan Oâ€Driscoll of Bayonne will also be featured. Another musical act to take the stage will be Three Pints Shy.

“Theyâ€re a really funny band,” Semanchick says. “Theyâ€re from Manhattan. Theyâ€ve been at the the New York Renaissance Fair for more than 10 years.”

Also on hand, Blacksmith G. Paul Salvetti from the Red Mill Museum in Clifton and archery by Jersey City Archery.

There will be a costume contest, and more than 30 vendors selling food, drinks, fairy wings and flower crowns. The Vic Tavern of Bayonne will have a beer garden set up and an art show is also planned. In addition, jousting will be performed by knights of the Round Table Productions of Pennsylvania.

“Theyâ€re high profile,” Semanchick says. “They used to do the Renaissance Fair in New York.”

If you go

Sat, Jul 22, from noon to 7 pm

Bayonne Renaissance Festival 2017

1. Thomas DiDomenico Park

375-409 Ave “A” (16^th Street), BOHO

Admission: $10 adults; Children 16 & under admitted free.

For more info: (201) 780-8378

BayonneRenFest@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/bayonnerenfest

The post HEAR YE, HEAR YE! COMETH TO BOHO FOR SOME FUNETH   first appeared on River View Observer.

Mayor Fulop Announces the 4th Annual Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival with the Largest Fireworks Display in the State With New York Harbor as the Backdrop for an Unparalleled Celebration of Our Nationâ€s Independence;

Enjoy a Full-day of Carnival Rides, Live Performances, Food, and Plenty of Family Fun, Concluded by a Premier Fireworks Display Illuminating the Hudson River

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announces the return and the expansion of the one-of-a-kind Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival at Exchange Place on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. with more than 150,000 expected attendees. This yearâ€s Fourth of July family-friendly festivalâ€s location has moved from Liberty State Park to Exchange Place due to all state parks being closed due to a budget impasse. 

Celebrate our nationâ€s freedom with fireworks dazzling the sky over the New York City Harbor which serves as a stunning backdrop as you celebrate Independence Day with kids entertainment, a smorgasbord of food, carnival rides, an expanded large beer garden, live performances, and a grand finale of breathtaking fireworks visible from both sides of the Hudson River. The FREE event is open to the public.

Among the multiple acts of the day, viral sensation Tim Kubart will be performing some of his Grammy award-winning childrenâ€s music. Jersey Cityâ€s own Kool & the Gang will headline the day of fun, taking the stage at dusk and performing classic fan favorites just before Grucci, Americaâ€s First Family of Fireworks puts on their nationally-recognized fireworks display. Grucci is a sixth-generation, family-owned and operated fireworks company that has developed a prominent reputation; having performed at eight U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, Olympic Games, Worldâ€s Fairs and earned the Guinness World Record for “largest fireworks display” ever recorded. With the downloadable Grucci Fireworks app, attendees will be able to sync the music for the fireworks performance directly to your smart phone.

Children can enjoy a variety of carnival rides, bounce houses, among other activities. And if that doesnâ€t wear them out, families can watch and dance to 14 different performers taking the stage throughout the day and night.

Adults 21 and over can also sip beer and sangria in the South House Beer Garden, now bigger to accommodate growing crowds. And everyone will have their pick of food after working up an appetite with over 20 food trucks serving a variety of patriotic plates.

This annual event was started four years ago after New York Cityâ€s fireworks display was moved to the East River. Mayor Fulop decided to fill the gap on the New Jersey side by revamping the Jersey City fireworks that were eliminated in 2008 due to budget cuts by the previous administration. Acquiring several sponsors and partners has enabled the resurrection of the Jersey City Fourth of July celebrations. This yearâ€s partners include the cityâ€s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, South House Bar and Restaurant, Suntex Marinas Jersey, Jersey Cityâ€s Stop the Drop Anti-Litter Campaign, and Grucci, Americaâ€s First Family of Fireworks.

For more information on the event, transportation, what to bring, and more visit www.FreedomAndFireworks.com or the cityâ€s social media pages.

TRANSPORTATION TO THE EVENT

Anyone attending the event is strongly encouraged to arrive by foot, bike, or public transportation.

Public transportation options include the PATH, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (www.njtransit.com), New York Waterway ferries (http://www.nywaterway.com/ferryroutesschedules.aspx), and Citi bike JC, as well as the Hudson River waterfront walkway.

Guests utilizing the PATH train system to either the Exchange Place or Grove Street stations and should check the PATH website at http://www.panynj.gov/path/full-schedules.html for an updated holiday schedule.

Parking, although limited, will be available throughout the city. Visitors are advised to use only registered and licensed parking facilities. Check with lot operators for fees and hours of operation.

BAGS/BACKPACKS/COOLERS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH
Please be advised that any bags brought to the event are subject to search by law enforcement authorities. Attendees are encouraged to pack belongings in clear bags that show contents. For a full list of what can be carried into the festival and what is banned, please visit http://freedomandfireworks.com/what-to-bring/.

MEDIA RSVP

The post JERSEY CITY 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION UPDATE: LOCATION CHANGE — EVENT HELD AT EXCHANGE PLACE first appeared on River View Observer.

Party of Five a Acappella Doo Wop Vocal Group will appear at the Bergen Point Fall Festival the annual community Festival will feature Music Entertainment, Great Food, Inflatable rides, Caricaturist, Sand Art, Face Painting and more.

The Windwill Alliance will also host the following events: Basketball Throw in front of Highways Store, Pumpkin Painting on the Trinity Parish Lawn, The Windmill Center Bake Sale, Basket Raffles.

There will be a Dog Costume Contest at 12 noon

If You Go

October 15

Broadway from 5th street to Cottage Street in Bayonne

12 Noon-6 PM

For more information  call the Bayonne UEZ Office  201-858-6357

The post Party of Five Acappella Doo Wop Group to appear at Bayonne Bergen Point Fall Festival October 15th first appeared on River View Observer.

Holy Rosary Church celebrates 113^th Italian Festival in Downtown JC

By Sally Deering

August nights are a time to celebrate when La Festa Italiana, the Old World Italian Street Festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church turns Historic Downtown Jersey City into five summer nights of music, dancing, food and fun!

La Festa Italiana 2016 begins Wed, Aug. 10, and continues through Sun, Aug. 14, on Sixth & Brunswick Streets. On these five summer nights, the neighborhood surrounding Holy Rosary Church will come alive with rocking dance music, games of chance, kids†activities, and a wide-array of delicious foods and libations. La Festa Italiana runs from 5 pm-11 pm Wednesday-to-Friday, and 3 pm-11 pm Saturday & Sunday. The last night (Sunday) at 11 pm, the “Super 50/50” Raffle winner will be chosen. Last yearâ€s ticket-holder won over $10,200.

La Festa Italiana honors the veneration of Maria SS. Dellâ€Assunta & San Rocco, and offers the Downtown community the opportunity to party with its neighbors. This yearâ€s La Festa Italiana features live bands, fun for the kids, food and souvenir vendors and Italian delicacies made by Holy Rosary Church parishioners like Fresh Hot Zeppoles, lemony Limoncello and “Our Famous Rice Balls”.

Founded in 1885, Holy Rosary Church is the first Italian Roman Catholic Parish in New Jersey. Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, the Rev. Jerzy (Jurek) Zaslona says La Festa Italiana pays tribute to the churchâ€s 131-year history and strengthens community ties.

“I thoroughly enjoy this five-night feast,” Rev. Zaslona says.  “As a church, we are here to serve the people of Jersey City and La Festa Italiana gives us the opportunity to become a more integrated community.”

La Festa Italiana 2016 has a 5-star line-up of music performed by live bands and music groups, featuring

Wed, Aug 10:               CRAZY 80â€s

Thurs, Aug 11:     LTZ (Less Than Zero)

Fri, Aug 12:                 Matt Colligan & Friends

   Mike Buscio Acoustic (Caffe Italiano)

Sat, Aug 13:     The Cameos

    Party of Five Acapella (Caffe Italiano)                  

   

   

Sun, Aug 14:                Total Soul

 Every night of the festival, on 6^th & Brunswick St., DJ Dan of Blueline Productions will keep the party dancing!

Our sponsors for La Festa Italiana 2016 include Brunswick Center, Tony Ferrara & Associates of Jersey City, Grillo for Council-Nicholas J. Grillo 2017, Dr. Michele J. Dimaira, DMD, MS, PA, Catholic Cemeteries, Panepinto Properties, Commonwealth/Fleetwood, Monteleoneâ€s Bakery, Sorrentino Electric, and Yelp.

This year, La Festa Italiana 2016 will be a “Foodieâ€s Paradise” with vendors like Mayon Grillâ€s Filipino BBQ, Pure ‘n†Simple Flatbreads†coal-fired brick oven pizzas, the Angry Crab food truck serving crab cakes and lobster rolls; and Liege (Belgian) Waffles which will also serve crepes with lots of topping choices, and they have a gluten-free crepe, too. And thereâ€s more, like mouth-watering Italian sausage sandwiches, Greek specialties, and delicious desserts including hand-made cannolis at Caffe Italiano in Holy Rosaryâ€s backyard.

Lots of returning, local food vendors, too, like Gia’s Gelato & Café in Jersey City, which will be selling 26 flavors of Gelato like “Kitty Kitty Bang Bang”, vanilla gelato with Oreo cookies, raspberries and white chocolate. Owners Angela Ratliff and Deb Brackett agree La Festa Italiana has been great for business and offers many opportunities to meet people who eventually become regulars.

“It allows us to be part of the community and reach out to a large number of potential customers,” Brackett says. “When we sell Gelato at La Festa, we talk to so many customers who become aware of all we sell at Giaâ€s down the street.”

Lunaâ€s Bowtique will sell hair products like bows and headbands, and be sure to visit the Radical Wellness tent, where you can purchase essential oils, teas, and energy-therapy products.

“Weâ€ll be bringing a lot of new blends, teas, oils, and energy balancing bracelets, which were a big hit last year,” owner Jimmy Benito says. “At La Festa, we meet a lot of new people and build relationships with them.”

This is the 8^th year Jason Gitlin, owner of Delenioâ€s will be selling his delicious Brooklyn-style pizzas (thin crust) with fresh homemade Mozzarella, meatball sliders, clams and mussels.

“La Festa is a good experience and a great way to make new friends,” Gitlin says. “The people at Holy Rosary are really good people. I have a photograph from 1921 in my restaurant. Itâ€s the same festival. All the people and police are lined up on 6^th Street. La Festa is a long-running tradition thatâ€s great for the neighborhood.”

Lucky Honey Bee is a full-range of natural bee products that will again be sold at this yearâ€s La Festa Italiana. Other ‘stars†of the festival are the Hourly 50/50s, and the popular Money Wheel.

On Sat, Aug. 13, church parishioners who are Ferris High School alumni can meet at the Parish Center for the 7^th annual Ferris High School Reunion & Caffe Italiano, where Michael Buscio Acoustic and Party of Five Doo Wop will be entertaining. Both Buscio and Party of Fiveâ€s Joe Calamito are sons of Holy Rosary Church.

Religious traditions are another important highlight of La Festa Italiana 2016.

A Novena will be celebrated for nine days from August 6-14, in veneration to Our Lady of Assumption.

On Mon., Aug. 15, at 11 am, the Assumption Feast Day Mass, in veneration to Maria SS. Dell’Assunta will be celebrated. At this Mass, we will celebrate the memory of Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, a son and dear friend of Holy Rosary Church. The Most Rev. John W. Flesey, a long-time friend of Bishop Donato is the Celebrant.

On Tues., Aug 16, at 11 am, the St. Rocco Feast Day Mass will be celebrated.

La Festa Italiana is Holy Rosary Churchâ€s special way of saying thank you to its parishioners and neighbors, as it celebrates 131 years of serving the spiritual needs of its parish and the Historic Downtown Jersey City community. For many years, La Festa Italiana has been the churchâ€s biggest fundraiser for the restoration and upkeep of the church. During La Festa Italiana 2016, the church will be open for visitors to see up close the magnificent beauty that is Holy Rosary Church. Visitors are also welcome to donate a 7-day Memorial Candle in memory of a loved-one.

“Traditions and customs define us as a community,” Rev. Zaslona says. “As a country we have traditions and customs that are recognized and embraced by those who come here; the same with our traditions as a church.  People like to become part of established traditions, therefore, it is important to cultivate and cherish these traditions for generations to come.”

If you go

Wed, Thurs, Fri, Aug. 10, 11, 12 from 5 pm-11 pm

Sat & Sun, Aug. 13 & 14, 3 pm-11 pm

La Festa Italiana 2016

Sixth & Brunswick Streets, JC

(201) 795-0120

www.lafestaitalianajc.com

www.Facebook.com/lafestaitalianajc

The post EAT, PRAY, LOVE…  La Festa Italiana 2016 promises Fun, Dancing and Great Food first appeared on River View Observer.