This Sunday, Sept. 25, Hoboken hosts the annual Arts & Music Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. In addition to the over 300 vendors, there will be music all day long on three stages, including famed rock-and-rollers The Turtles and The Trammps. Sponsors this year include: Mix 102.7, Jack FM, PATH, Northfolk Bank, The Hoboken Reporter & The Hudson Current, Sheraton Suites Hotel, NJ Lottery, Hudson United Bank, NJ Division of Travel & Tourism, The Hudson County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, and County Executive Thomas DeGise.
The event
The festival takes place on Washington Street (which is open to foot traffic only for those hours) from Observer Highway to Seventh Street. In addition to the activities on Washington Street, many of the bars have specials and live music for that day. There are two stages set up on Washington Street, The Sixth Street Stage and the Observer Highway Stage. The music starts at noon (see sidebar for set list).
The Third Street Stage has children’s music. Geri Fallo, Cultural Affairs Director in Hoboken, is pleased with the success of the festival.
“This is actually the twelfth season for the fall festival,” said Fallo. “The festival has grown in leaps and bounds. The first one we had was put together in three to four weeks and had only 100 vendors. Now it is eight city blocks with over 300 vendors.”
The food & vendors
There are many kinds of food offered by area restaurants: including Thai, Indian, Greek, French, Mexican, Cajun, Italian, and more. There are also American favorites like hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, and Kettle Korn!
Most of the stands offer regular menu items at discounted prices, so it’s a great opportunity to try new things. Keep in mind, the food stands always have lines but they move quickly. There will be artists displaying photography, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, hand bags, clothing, hand-crafted furniture, specialty items, candles, blown glass and much more.
The bands
Okay, so maybe you don’t know who they are, but The Turtles, featuring Flo & Eddie, have a hit song you might recognize. “Happy Together” is one of the more popular songs of the band, which formed in the sixties.
Imagine you and me, I do. I think about you day and night, it’s only right. To think about the girl you love and hold her tight, so happy together!
The Turtles had to change the name of their band in the ’70s, and after a four-year legal battle, regained the use of their own names. But not before Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan became known as “Flo and Eddie.” During a break from a five day tour that ended in Seattle, Mark Volman took time out of his schedule to answer some questions over the phone. According to Volman, his performance changes almost every night, depending on the show. “The fans though, they’ve gotten older,” said Volman. “And probably younger too. We’ve picked up a lot of different fans over the years.”
When asked about the success of the single “Happy Together,” Volman considers it lucky because three other bands turned it down. “It’s such an easy song to learn,” said Volman. “The thing that makes it fun for people is the Imagine me and you, because it could be a fantasy. It is a part of everyone, that wishing for someone. It was a blessing that it fell into our laps.”
Volman hopes that people will come out to see the show, because eventually The Turtles will stop touring. The Trammps will also perform their hit song “Disco Inferno” from Saturday Night Fever. Other notable bands include: Bubble, performing The Beatles’ White Album, and local favorites Swingadelic and Bill McGarvey. Please see sidebar for set times.
Things to know before you go…
Get cash the night before, as with thousands of people in town the ATMs run out. Not every vendor provides bags. Most bars have bouncers that day, and they will be carding. Most restaurants also enforce the bathrooms-are-for-customers-only policy. Don’t try to drive across town. Instead, park in one of the municipal lots at the ends of Hoboken and walk. For further information, please call: (201) 420-2388 or visit: www.hobokennj.org .
Sixth Street Stage
12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Rocky Horror Picture Show – (Cast from DeBaun) 1:00 to 1:40 p.m. 4th Street Nite Owls 1:50 to 2:05 p.m. John Sonntag 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Lorax 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Orquesta C2 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. Gene D. Plumber 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tom Vincent & The Romance Commandos Third St. Stage (for kids)
12:00 to 12:40 p.m. Yosi (sing-a-long) 12:50 to 1:30 p.m. Mother Goose 1:40 to 2:20 p.m. Yosi (sing-a-long) 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. Silly Willy 3:20 to 4:00 p.m. Polka Dot 4:10 to 4:50 p.m. Silly Willy 5:00 to 5:40 p.m. Polka Dot Observer Highway Stage
12:00 to 12:45 p.m. Swingadelic 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Bill McGarvey 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The Trammps 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. Bubble – (performing The Beatles White Album) 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. The Turtles