Officials from Union City, West New York, Weehawken, Hoboken, and the county appeared at Hoboken’s popular Italian festival Thursday to encourage residents from around the county to try taking the light rail to the event.
The festival kicked off that night with comedian-turned-crooner Joe Piscopo and will continue with bands, food, and fun through this coming Tuesday.
“The Feast,” as it’s sometimes known, takes place next to St. Ann’s Church at Seventh and Jefferson streets, on the west side of town. This is just a few blocks from the Ninth Street light rail station that runs from Bayonne through Weehawken, and will someday terminate in Bergen County.
The festival rates as one of the country’s top events in North America by the American Bus Association. Mayor Albio Sires of West New York and Mayor Brian Stack of Union City were expected to be at the festival site on Thursday to promote the light rail connection.
Tradition
The tradition started locally 95 years ago when immigrants from Monte San Giacomo gathered in Hoboken to honor the patron saint of their small Italian town. St. Ann is also the patron saint of women and fertility.
During the first feast, Society members adorned with shawls, sashes and ribbons proceeded through the streets holding the image of St. Ann, as bands played both religious and traditional Italian songs.
Attendees also come for the rides, the games of chance, the St. Ann’s Guild fried zeppoles (the recipe is a closely guarded secret), the beer garden, the music, or simply the magical feeling of an Italian-style celebration.
The highlight of the festival is a special homage to St. Ann in a procession including 600-pound statue in her likeness, carried by the ladies’ guild of St. Ann’s Church. The procession lasts between five and six hours. For pregnant women, it’s common to accompany the statue in their bare feet as an expression of their devotion to the saint. To this day, women who are pregnant and those wishing to become pregnant turn to her for help.
Piscopo said that the festival is one of the highlights of the New Jersey cultural calendar.
“People come from all over to see Hoboken,” said Piscopo. “St. Ann’s Festival is legendary.” For more information, go to www.st-annchurch.com or call (201) 659-1114. Nancy Bevilaqua contributed to this report.