101 years and still a hit!

“Who’s watching the store?” an older woman yelled to a friend on Jefferson Street during the procession of the statue of St. Ann on Tuesday morning.
She asked a valid question. Walking through the streets of Hoboken on Tuesday, it appeared that almost everyone in the city was at the St. Ann’s annual festival.
The six-day annual celebration finished up on Tuesday evening after drawing thousands of visitors to the mile-square city.

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The six-day annual celebration finished up on Tuesday evening after drawing thousands of visitors to the mile-square city.
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A Catholic mass was held on Tuesday morning, followed by the procession through the city with the statue of St. Ann. The 600 lb. statue is carried in a moving procession by female members of St. Ann’s Parish.
Many flock from out of town to come to the feast, and along with residents, they make their way to the stage, the zeppole line, the boardwalk games, or the beer garden.
The event serves as a fundraiser for St. Ann’s Church in Hoboken.
The event has been rated one of the “100 Top Events” in North America by the American Bus Association, and hailed as “The Only and Only” by The New York Times. The Star-Ledger has called the event “an essential event of the summer.”
The festival also included a new concert stage this year, erected at Seventh and Jefferson streets.
Performers included Cristina Fontanelli, Ray Rodriquez Y Swing Sabroso, Ryan Pelton, The Trammps, The Nerds, and The Bronx Wanderers.
Check out these photos that span the six-day festival.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com