Category Archives: Special Event

Special Event

Hudson County Celebrates Halloween with Free Fall Festival for Families

Hudson County Celebrates Halloween with Free Fall Festival for Families

County Executive Craig Guy invites residents to enjoy family-friendly activities, costume contests, train rides and more on October 31

JERSEY CITY, NJ — This weekend Hudson County is celebrating Halloween and inviting residents of all ages to join in on the fun! Hudson County Executive Craig Guy is excited to welcome families from across the county to the Hudson County Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 902 Brewing Co., located on Pacific Avenue between Caven Point Avenue and Forrest Street in Jersey City.

Admission to the Hudson County Fall Festival is completely free, but advance registration is required. Residents interested in attending can register here.

“Halloween is a special time for families, and we want to make sure everyone in Hudson County has the opportunity to celebrate together,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “Our Fall Festival is about bringing our communities together, creating lasting memories for our children and giving families a fun, safe and welcoming place to enjoy the holiday. I encourage residents from every corner of Hudson County to put on their costumes and join us for a great afternoon!”

The free, family-friendly celebration will bring together residents for an afternoon of Halloween festivities, entertainment and activities for all ages. Families can look forward to a wide variety of activities, including a Halloween costume contest, train rides, obstacles courses, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos, sports games and local artisan vendors.

For photos of last year’s Hudson County Fall Festival, click here.

Special Event

Bayonne Chapter of UNICO National

“Service Above Self”

The Bayonne Chapter of UNICO National is pleased to announce

Joseph Marchitto as its “2026 Man of the Year.”

We are sure you will agree that Joseph’s dedication and service to the Community of Bayonne makes him an outstanding choice for this honor.

It is not often that we are given an opportunity to show our appreciation for those among us who make life a little better by touching the lives around them.

In addition to honoring our Man of the Year, the Bayonne Chapter of UNICO National will also be recognizing the following individuals for their outstanding service to our community:

John Burms recipient of the Joseph P. Tagliareni Community Service Award

Angelique Bell recipient of the Service Above Self Award

Father Joe Barbone recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award,

These prestigious honors will be bestowed upon our recipients at UNICO’s Awards Reception

on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Chandelier Catering in Bayonne at 6:30 p.m.

The Officers and Membership of the Bayonne Chapter of UNICO cordially invite you to express your congratulations to our distinguished honorees by placing an ad in the Souvenir Journal being prepared to accent this festive evening.

Your donation will be remembered by all the officers and members as well as our honorees. The proceeds of the souvenir journal will be administered by the Bayonne Chapter of UNICO National to help assist the many local charities which UNICO has supported for over 77 years.

Please return all forms by November 7th, along with a check made payable to Bayonne Chapter of UNICO National and mail to

BAYONNE CHAPTER OF UNICO NATIONAL

P.O. Box 1465

Bayonne, NJ 07002.

Joseph Skillender, President

Jason Scudder, Chairman/1st Vice President

Special Event

Thousands of Catholics Pray Before Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous on National Tour

Photo Highlights

A woman prays before the relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous on display at Seton Hall University. (Photo courtesy of Seton Hall University/Genna Nadal)

Visitors touch a rock from Massabielle Grotto, where St. Bernadette Soubirous saw Our Lady of Lourdes. (Photo courtesy of Seton Hall University/Genna Nadal)

Father Nicholas Sertich, director of campus ministry at Seton Hall University, celebrates Mass in honor of St. Bernadette Soubirous at Seton Hall’s Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 5, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Seton Hall University/Genna Nadal)

Thousands of Catholics prayed before relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous—who experienced apparitions of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Lourdes) in Lourdes, France, in 1858—during a national tour that stopped at four locations in the Archdiocese of Newark from Oct. 4 to 8.

The relics visited Seton Hall University in South Orange from Oct. 4 to 6, the Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit on Oct. 6, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Orange on Oct. 7 and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Oct. 8.

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Special Event

Bayonne Bergen Point Fall Festival-October 17th, 2026 Fun Day for the Entire Family

12 Noon to 6:00 PM

The crisp autumn breeze brings a unique, festive energy to Hudson County each year, and nowhere is this seasonal spirit more
vibrant than in Bayonne’s historic southern tip. The Bergen Point Fall Festival stands as one of the city’s most anticipated community traditions, transforming the ordinary local streetscape into a lively autumn wonderland of entertainment, diverse culture, and neighborhood pride. Sponsored by the City of Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), Mayor Sharon Ashe Nadrowski and the Bayonne Municipal Counci, alongside dedicated local merchants, this annual street fair successfully draws thousands of residents and tri-state area visitors together to celebrate the beautiful turn of the season.

The festival in its current modern format officially started on October 18, 2014. Conceived under the Administration of Mayor James Davis, municipal organizers, and the Bergen Point Merchants Association, the event was established to revitalize commercial interest in the local business corridor and foster a tight-knit community bond. Aside from a brief two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration has returned stronger and grown sequentially larger each October, continually expanding its roster of specialty vendors and family-friendly activities.

Centering its widespread festivities along Broadway between 5th Street and Cottage the beautiful outdoor Street Gala effectively highlights the historical charm of the Bergen Point neighborhood near the scenic Kill Van Kull. Attendees can leisurely stroll through blocks lined with unique retail pop-ups, artisanal craft tables, and delicious local dining options. Energetic live musical acts occupy the performance stage, filling the autumn air with rhythm while a talented local dance group showcases their routines to highly supportive crowds.

For families, the fall festival serves as a massive playground of free public entertainment. Children can enjoy unlimited access to large inflatables, interactive balloon sculpting, custom face painting, free caricature artists, pumpkin batch and more.
Meanwhile, adult attendees can explore specialized merchant offerings or cheer on participants in the highly competitive and deeply beloved annual dog costume contest. Pups from all over Bayonne dress up in creative holiday attire, vying for unique trophies

Thanks to its close proximity to the historic Bayonne Bridge, the festival regularly acts as a regional connector, welcoming enthusiastic neighbors from Staten Island who frequently walk or bicycle across the bridge to experience the local hometown fun.

The Opening Ceremony including National Anthem
performed by Artists Avenue
12:30pm

-Dog Costume Contest
12:30pm-

Anna Felice
1-2pm-

Sami and the System
2:15-3:15pm –

Who Brought the Dog
3:30-4:30pm

She Said No
4:45-6pm

Schedule is subject to change

If You Go: Bergen Point Fall Festival
Saturday, October 17, 2026
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

This article was researched and drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed and edited by our team before it was published.

Special Event

Bayonne Italian Parade Set for Sunday, October 18

           

The Bayonne Heritage Association announced that the annual Bayonne Italian Heritage Parade will take place on Sunday, October 18.  The parade will step off at 1:00 p.m. at 56th Street and Avenue C.  The parade will march southwards down Avenue C until it reaches Devlin Drive, which is at the front of Gregg-Bayonne County Park, between 40th and 41st Streets.  The parade will break up in the park.

            Cindi Sisk-Galvin, President of the Bayonne Heritage Association, shared that, “The Bayonne Heritage Association is proud to host the 3rd annual Italian Heritage Parade. Come out and enjoy the parade as we honor three distinguished Italian community leaders, rich traditions, and contributions of Italian Americans. After the parade, we invite you to attend the parade after-party and celebrate with family, friends, food, music, and fun!”

            The 2026 parade has several honorees. The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade is local business owner Ralph C Citarella, Jr. of Bayonne Exterminating. The Italian Businessman of the Year is Pasquale (Patsy) Daddi of Daddi and Daughter, a downtown hair salon and barber shop.  The Italian First Responder of the Year is Police Chief Joseph Scerbo. 

            Several schools, clubs, and public safety agencies will be marching.  Among the participating Italian-American organizations are Unico, the Sicilian Citizens Club, the Sons of Italy, the Bayonne High School Italian Club, and the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey.  The Bayonne Police Department, the Bayonne Fire Department, and McCabe Ambulance will participate in the event.  There will also be a State Police flyover, weather permitting. 

            The parade will also feature various floats sponsored by organizations and stilt walkers.

            The post-parade party will take place at Robinson Hall, the event space in the basement of St. Vincent’s Church on Avenue C between 46th and 47th Streets.  To purchase tickets for the party, please go to bayonneheritage.org. 

            The Bayonne Heritage Association is a non-profit organization that sponsors parades, festivals, and other community events throughout the year.     

Special Event

Special Event in North Bergen

The North Bergen Autumn Flea Market and Collectibles Show is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM in North Bergen, New Jersey (near J. Braddock / Hudson County Park and Bergenline Avenue)

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 [1]
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Sidewalk along Bergenline Avenue / near J. Braddock Hudson County Park, North Bergen, NJ 07047
  • Highlights: Local vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, crafts, electronics, books, and music, with proceeds supporting local community policing and the Special Olympics.

Special Event

Scarecrow Stroll-Fun event in Kearny

The 2026 Kearny Scarecrow Stroll & Contest runs from October 17 to October 31, 2026, in Kearny, New Jersey. [1]

Event Details

  • Dates: October 17 – October 31, 2026
  • Location: Scarecrows line Kearny and Midland Avenues
  • Organizer: Brought to you by the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone (KUEZ)
  • Activities: Walk the avenues to view and vote for community-crafted scarecrows, and support local businesses along the way.
  • Registration: Closed on October 10, 2026. [1, 2]

Official updates and voting links can be found on the Kearny Scarecrow Stroll Website

Special Event

1928 Oyster Schooner, A.J. Meerwald Visits Hoboken

AJ Meerwald 1928 Oyster Schooner

The 1928 historic oyster schooner, A. J. Meerwald visits Hoboken, NJ hosted by the Hoboken Historical museum on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026!

New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship, A. J. Meerwald will be sailing from 14th Street Pier located at Shipyard Marina thanks to the Hoboken Historical Museum. The boat will be visiting Hoboken after a full 2026 sailing season throughout NJ and the Chesapeake Bay region.

Wednesday evening, October 21st, from 4 PM – 6PM for free deck tours of the vessel, followed by an evening program from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM at the Hoboken Historical Museum. The evening presentation will highlight the vessel’s almost 100 year history, current restoration project this winter at Mystic Seaport Museum and even an A. J. Meerwald book signing with the author, Rachel Dolhanczyk.

One public sail will be offered on Thursday, October 22nd from 4 PM – 6 PM. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online through this link.

“Hoboken has always been a maritime city, and it is a thrill to welcome New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship to our waterfront. This visit happened because of our trustee James Perry, whose leadership and persistence brought the A. J. Meerwald to Hoboken. We are also grateful to Joe Barry and Adam Leitner of Shipyard Marina, who helped make this visit possible, and to our partners at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, for giving our community a chance to step aboard a piece of living history. We hope everyone will come out for the deck tours, join us at the Museum that evening, and help support the restoration that will keep this schooner sailing.” – Bob Foster, Executive Director, Hoboken Historical Museum

“Hoboken will be our final post visit for the 2026 sailing season and the ideal way to finish our America 250 events, sailing the waters of New York Harbor.” – Jessica Yorke, Executive Director, Bayshore Center at Bivalve

Please join us for this historic visit!

Reception and Celebration

?? Wednesday, October 21st

? 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

? Hoboken Historical Museum

Public Sail

?? Thursday, October 22nd

? 4 PM – 6:00 PM

? Departing from the 14th Street Pier

?? $55 per person

Information from Hoboken Historical Mueum Website

Special Event

Discover the Expressive Sound of Reeds in Rhythm

It’s not too late to join us for an intimate musical experience where every note, breath, and rhythm comes alive. Reeds in Rhythm invites audiences to discover the expressive sound and energy of live music in a fresh, immersive setting. Featured Performer: Candyce Raiford, a multi-instrumentalist originally from Indianapolis, fuses classical and jazz with many genres—redefining what’s possible for the clarinet. Candyce believes everyone has purpose and can rise from pain. Struggle is just the prelude to greatness. But there’s a twist. Every guest will experience the concert through wireless headphones. You’ll see the musicians performing live while every note, harmony, and beat is delivered directly to your ears. No speakers. No traditional concert setup. Just you, the musicians, and the music.  ? Wednesday, October 14
? 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
?Cunningham Branch Library Capacity is limited to 45 guests. Advance registration is required.
(201) 547 – 4555 275 M.L.K. Drive, 07305 

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com, Special Event

October 9th, 2026 Charity Baseball Game in Support of Two Pediatric Cancer Foundations; Tomorrows Children Fund at Hackensack Meridian and The Valerie Fund of New Jersey

Two Mom’s on a Mission

Photos by Stephen Mack

By Joe Calamito

Back in September of 2026 I met two women on a mission, two dynamic and interesting ladies, Sharon Romano and Marie Costantino placing gold bows on the poles in Bayonne, I asked the ladies what they were doing, and what was the significance of the Gold bows?

Here is what they told me…

September is Childhood cancer Awareness Month and we advocate for the many children who are battling this disease, the ones who are survivors and life with side effects and those angels who sadly were taken from us way too soon.

We both lost our sons to cancer .

Sharon continued, her son is Anthony Costantino and mine is Michael Romano . Both boys went through the Bayonne Public Schools and played Cal Ripken Baseball despite their illness.

They had mentioned on October 9th, 2026 there would be a charity softball game which will support the above named hospitals to assist patients and their families financially . Bayonne’s town heroes Police and Fire Departments and members of the Bayonne Board of Education will play each other .  Our Buddy Baseball team will also support and play a few innings to show their support.  Their will be some raffles and donations will be accepted at the game.

Here are some photos from the game:

Sharon Romano, Mayor Sharon Ashe Nadrowski and Marie Costantino 

Let the game begin, Bayonne Police and Fire Departments doing their part

Bayonne’s Recreation Director Pete Amadeo ( Center left) with participants of Charity Baseball game

These children made a hit to help their fellow children

Bayonne residents doing what they do best, helping others by signing up for the raffle

There are about 15,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year in the US alone.

These two wonderful ladies hang gold bows throughout the town and have gained the support of the Bayonne Board of Education and this year, as in past years, the last Friday of September, the District allowed staff and students to wear Gold to support two wonderful Pediatric Cancer Foundations, also on September 25th, Bayonne City Hall with Bayonne Mayor Nadrwoski, City Hall gave their support with a flag raising.

The town of Bayonne truly comes together to support this important cause .

Two Moms on a Mission, who won’t stop until a cure is found.

No child fights alone. ?