North Bergen and Guttenberg are gearing up for summer festivities. Residents can look forward to free events that will be provided, parades, festivals, children’s summer camp and lounging by the pool. These two towns have much in store for their residents.
Parades, festivals and community events
A Cuban Parade Festival will take place on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. This culmination of a parade and festival will allow residents to celebrate the Cuban-American community while enjoying the entertainment and food that will be provided. The parade will start at 12 p.m. on 79th Street and Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen at the entrance of James Braddock Park. The conclusion of the Cuban parade will be on 43rd street and Bergenline Avenue in Union City. The Festival will be held at Schuetzen Park which is located on 32nd street and Kennedy Boulevard. You can look forward to food kiosks, rides and live entertainment.
These two towns have much in store for their residents.
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National Night Out will be a three block party that is tentatively scheduled to take place Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 6-10 p.m. The planned locations are Grand Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets, Broadway between 73rd and 76th streets, and 6121-6131 Grand Ave., the site of the North Bergen Housing Authority. Each block party will feature food, and music, and entertainment. There will be some giveaways that residents can look forward to. The three locations will be visited by Mayor Nicholas Sacco and other township officials.
Concerts
Guttenberg kicks off the summer with their concert series. Summer concerts begin on July 18 until Aug. 29. Entertainment starts at 5 p.m. with the main event from 7:30 – 9 p.m. The concerts will be located between 71st and 70th streets on Boulevard East. The schedule is as follows:
July 18 with “Total Soul” performing R&B, Soul and Disco
August 1 with “The Bronx Wonders” will be a tribute to Frankie Valli and Four Seasons
August 22 with “The Infernos” performing Doo Woop
August 29 with “Rene De Leon” will be a Latin Concert
Recreation
Children ages 6-12 have the pleasure of participating in the five week summer fun camp program. Admission is $50 per child and will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Summer camp will begin on June 25 and registration starts on June 13. Parents are urged to go to 64th street where the Recreation Center is located. Some of the fun and excitement in store for the children that take advantage of this program are free lunch, visits to the North Bergen municipal pool, one field trip per week, playing baseball, basketball, softball, along with arts and crafts.
Sports are also in full swing as football and cheerleading sign-ups will begin in August.
Outdoor swimming
North Bergen’s municipal pool splashed off the summer during Memorial Day weekend. The pool will now be open full time starting June 23rd at 11 a.m. The community pool offers a full-size pool, children’s pool, competition pool, spray park, picnic area, volleyball court and basketball court along with a concession stand. Tents have been placed in order to shade some that chose not to be boiled down by the sun’s rays.
North Bergen pool offers local residents free events such as water aerobics, movie nights that occur once a week with the pool as a backdrop, bands come once a month under the pavilion to perform. There is also a pool luau that costs $25 per person with an abundance of food that is donated from in-town vendors. Non-residents are also welcome to become members to the North Bergen pool. For any further information or for membership rates you can visit http://www.northbergen.org/Departments/Parks-and-Public-Property/Community-Pool.aspx. The membership application form is available at http://www.northbergen.org/web_content/acrobat/poolregistrationnb.pdf.
Resident activities
The North Bergen Public Library offers a multitude of free programs to get the community summer ready.
Debate Club allows grades 6-12 to hone in on their skills as future debaters. This will take place on June 7, 11 & 14 from 4- 5 p.m.
Senior Citizen Movie Matinee is available for all those young at heart that would like to watch “The Descendants.” This will take place on June 14th at 1 p.m. Refreshments will also be provided.
Comedy Night will star Matt Kazam who is no stranger to the media. This event will occur on June 22 and doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the show time beginning at 6 p.m.
Spanish speakers who yearn to learn English need not look any further.
English For Beginners is a 10-week course that is offered to the community in the pursuit to learn English. The course will begin on July 7th and be from 10- 11a.m. The instructor will be Elke Bachik and throughout the course students have the ability to study vocabulary and complete homework. Attendance will be mandatory and registration will be $20 which will include a dictionary, workbook and flash cards. The library wants those interested to register at the Reference Desk. Attendance is mandatory so that you get the most out of the course.