Muddy shoes didn’t stop hundreds of Weehawken residents from having a fun-filled day of activities last week at the 16th annual Weehawken Day Festival. Braving the rainy weather, residents sang karaoke, danced to live music, and ate 11,000 hotdogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. The event was sponsored by the Township of Weehawken and the Weehawken Municipal Alliance Against Alcohol & Drugs Committee. Proceeds of the event benefitted the Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball League, the Youth Football League, the American Legion, and the Weehawken Elks.
For the kids
Starting at 1 p.m., hayrides carried children to a pumpkin patch every fifteen minutes, and later, Barney & Friends entertained children with two live shows. There was an almost 30-foot high rock wall that challenged children of all ages to climb to the top. And, an inflatable Super Slide let children slide to the bottom from two stories up.
Children were able to meet lots of little farm animals at Jack’s Petting Farm including: rabbits, chicken, geese, and goats. The farm even gave free pony rides and offered a sanitation station, where parents could make sure their children cleansed their hands after petting the animals.
There were plenty of carnival games which raised $300 for charity. New to this year’s event was Guitar Hero, where children strummed a life-size, plastic guitar and pretended to shred along with some of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Also new, the surf simulator had kids hanging ten, and a speed radar pitching system tested their throwing arms.
But, the most popular of all was, “Thunder” the mechanical bull. Many residents saddled up, trying to conquer the raging, mechanical animal, but all ended up landing softly to the padding below.
Information Tables
Situated along the walkways were numerous information tables, allowing patrons to learn more about the various organizations and upcoming events available in town. The Webster and Roosevelt School Bake Sales, along with the Weehawken High School Booster Club, made almost $500 to benefit the youth sporting leagues.
The North Hudson Regional Fire Department was also at the festival showcasing the Department’s Fire Prevention and Child Safety Trailer, which teaches children how to safely get out off a burning house or building. The trailer dispenses fake smoke, while the children are taught how to crawl out of a side window. The trailer will be at the Roosevelt Elementary School on Monday, Oct. 6.
“The festival was a great way to showcase all the different groups in town,” said Mayor Richard Turner, “and [it] provided a variety of activities.”
Mayor Turner praised all the departments that participated in the event, for helping the event to run smoothly and added that no injuries were reported.
“Given the fact that the festival was postponed and with the rainy weather,” Mayor Turner said, “everybody still came out and had fun.”
Upwards of 300 volunteers helped out at Weehawken day, according to Mayor Turner, collecting tickets, manning the gates, and making the day a great success. The town gave each volunteer a hat, Mayor Turner said. “We had 250 hats, and ran out by the end of day. That’s what makes Weehawken really great.”
With the success of the festival, and the almost 4,000 residents that attended, Mayor Turner said, “I’m sure there was a lot of shoe cleaning on Sunday night!”
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