The Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival takes place today (Sunday, Sept. 27) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople from all around the tri-state area. The vendors line Washington Street from the southernmost tip of the street to as high as Seventh Street.
The 16th annual festival offers live music, fine art, great food, and much more.
With three stages of live music, the festival has something for every kind of music buff. The main stage is located on Washington Street and Observer Highway; the sixth street stage is right on Sixth Street; and a children’s stage is located near Third Street (see sidebar for complete listing of performances).
Special guest and rock ‘n’ roll legend Leon Russell will headline the festival, playing on the main stage at 4:30 p.m. Russell is best known for his hit singles “A Song For You” and “Tightrope,” and for his work with rock gods like Jerry Lee Lewis and the Rolling Stones.
Homegrown blues musician Christine Santelli and Weehawken singer-songwriter Jack Skuller will also perform.
“Leon has just played with everybody,” said director of Hoboken Cultural Affairs Geri Fallo. “It blows my mind. And the response has just been incredible. The word is really getting out.” In addition to being a musician, Russell is also a well-known producer and songwriter, who has written numerous hit songs for bands like the Carpenters.
“You name it,” Fallo said, “and he’s done it.”
Arts and crafts
Hundreds of crafters will line up and down Washington Street this year, selling hand-made products from pottery to metalwork, wood items and furniture.
The festival will offer great shopping at great straight-from-the-artist prices. Blown glass will be a huge hit this year, while household items will also be available like candles, quilts, jewelry, dried florals, soaps, lotions, and more.
This season’s festival also includes a fine art area, between Second and Third Streets, where dozens of artists will show and sell their work. From oil paintings to watercolors, acrylics to sculptures, there will be something for the avid art collector or amateur enthusiast.
Let’s talk food
One of the best parts of the Arts and Music Festival is the ability to get great food at great prices. From greasy festival foods to sophisticated fare, the festival is a perfect place to grab a quick bite. This year’s festival attracted some of Hoboken’s most popular restaurants to participate. Try eclectic variety of international foods including: Thai, Indian, Greek, French, Mexican, Cajun and Italian.
Don’t forget the kids!
No street festival is complete without fun games and activities to keep the little ones entertained. This year’s festival offers plenty of activities for kids like face painting, clowns, and balloons. It all takes place on Third Street, where there will also be ponies and a petting zoo.
Live performances from some of the best children’s entertainers will take place throughout the day, so make sure the kids are good and rested.
Community support
Sponsors make the festival possible, including the Hoboken Reporter, Verizon Fios, Ikea, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Optimum, The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, and New Jersey Transit. Some of those sponsors frequently give out freebies and information at the festival.
The festival goes on rain or shine. For more information please visit www.myspace.com/hobokenculturalaffairs or call (201) 420-2207.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com
Live performances
Observer Hwy (bet. Newark & Observer Hwy)
Noon – Ukuladies – http://www.myspace.com/theukuladies
1 p.m. – Christine Santelli – www.christinesantelli.com
2 p.m. – ALFIO – www.alfiomusic.com
3 p.m. – Red Molly – www.redmolly.com
4:30 p.m. – Leon Russell – www.leonrussellrecords.com
Sixth Street Stage
12:30 p.m. – Bandwidth
1:15 p.m. – Jack Skuller – www.myspace.com/jackskuller
1:45 p.m. – Hoboken’s STY Academy – www.myspace.com/thestyacademy
2:10 p.m. – The Little Maestros
3 p.m. – BuzzUniverse – www.BuzzUniverse.com
4 p.m. – Midnight Rain – www.myspace.com/midnightraintheband
5 p.m. – Danny Matos & Son Candela Band
Kid Zone (Third Street)
11:30 p.m. – Hanna Valente
12 p.m. – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
1 p.m. – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese – myspace.com/ronalbanese
2 p.m. – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
3 p.m. – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese
4 p.m. – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
5 p.m. – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese