If everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps it’s equally true that we’re all Italian during the annual Festa Italiana.
Sponsored by Holy Rosary Church in downtown Jersey City, the Festa features both religious and secular events that are enjoyed annually by residents of the local community and visiting out-of-towners alike.
“The food, that’s what I come here for. The food. It’s delicious,” said downtown resident Debbie Blondel on Wednesday night. “It’s just fun to come out. I live just a few blocks away. So [my family] comes over a couple nights when they have this. The kids always have a nice time.”
‘It kind of brings everyone from the community together.’ – Rosita Lopez
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“I’m not Italian myself. My husband is half Italian and I come here ’cause there’s food that his mother used to make that I love,” said Gloria Kwan, a Jersey City resident who attended the Festa with friend Jenny Li of Hoboken. “Of course, you can get it in restaurants and things, but that can be expensive. But here, I can get these sausages that I love without paying a lot of money. Some of these things, I’m not even sure what they’re called. I just know they’re good.”
Li nibbled on a sweet pastry while wondering aloud how much time she’d need in the gym to mitigate what she called “the damage.”
“You’re not supposed to think about that,” said Nick Sorantino, who overheard Li’s remark. “Just dig in and enjoy.”
However, even those on a diet can still have a good time. There was live music, rides for children, and 50/50 raffles each hour.
“I don’t come every year,” said resident Rosita Lopez. “But the weather was nice and the kids wanted to come out. So we actually had dinner at home. Then I brought my daughters out for a couple hours. It’s nice. It kind of brings everyone from the community together. I see all the same faces I probably see in the neighborhood anyway. That’s kind of nice. One of the things I like about it here.”
The Jois family from India wandered upon the Festa while on their way home in the Newport area. Like the Lopez children, the Jois kids were also attracted to the rides offered and begged their parents to delay the journey home.
While the Festa largely revolves around food and fun, it also celebrates Holy Rosary’s legacy as the first parish for Italian immigrants in New Jersey. The church was founded 126 years ago.
The Festa Italiana, now in its 108th year, will continue through Sunday, Aug. 14 when events will run from 4 until 11 p.m.
Holy Rosary Church is located on Sixth Street, between Brunswick and Monmouth streets.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.