For a small town, Secaucus has a large number of summer activities planned for people of all ages. From the town’s three day street fair to the outdoor pools and new meditation garden, residents can choose from a number of ways to relax, have fun, and enjoy the sun-filled days.
Fairs, festivals, and the Fourth
The Hometown Street Fair, which takes place June 8 – 10, has gone from a two-day event to three days of music, food, games, rides and entertainment. The town center will be lined with carnival games, kid-friendly attractions, face-painters, community organizations, local businesses, and food vendors selling everything from fried Oreos to shish kabob. Hours are June 8, 6 to 10 p.m.; June 9, 12 to 10 p.m., and June 10, 12 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit: secaucusevents.com.
For a small town, there’s lots to do in Secaucus this summer.
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State Fair Meadowlands rolls into the area on June 22 and runs through July 8. Held in East Rutherford next to the Met Life Stadium, the fair has over 150 rides and attractions on over 35 acres. Some of this year’s features include a Live Shark Encounter, the Big Cat Show, Racing Pigs and Circus Maximum. For more information or tickets, visit: www.njfair.com, or call: (973) 450-1073.
Residents can celebrate the Fourth of July early with fireworks, food, and fun for the entire family at the Secaucus town pool at 7 p.m. on July 2.
Concerts
The concert series kicks-off on June 14 with “Kenny Vance and the Planotones,” a group influenced by 50’s Doo Wop groups. They will appear at the Harmon Meadow Plaza at 7 p.m.
On June 23 at 6 p.m. the “Duprees” celebrate 50 years of beautiful love songs at the Xchange at Secaucus Junction on June 23. The rain date is June 24.
“Neil and the Diamonds” pay a musical tribute to Neil Diamond on July 12 at 7 p.m. in Buchuller Park.
The “Jersey Girls” perform a concert on July 19 at 7 p.m. at Buchmuller Park. Their performance features vocal harmonies from girl groups from the 60’s.
The group “British Invasion” performs more than the Beatles at Buchuller Park at 7 p.m. on July 26.
“Van Martin” performs big band sounds and Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and others on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. at Buchmuller Park.
“The Barons” perform golden sounds from the 50’s and the 60’s at 7 p.m. at Buchmuller Park.
The “Showstoppers” perform the magic of Mardi Gras on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
The “Cameos,” an oldies vocal harmony group performs on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Buchmuller Park.
The “Bronx Wanderers” pay tribute to the likes of Frankie Valli, the Four Seasons, and the Bee Gee’s on Aug. 30 at Buchmuller Park during the “Taste of Secaucus,” which is a sampling of local restaurants.
“Jimmy and the Parrots,” pay tribute to Jimmy Buffet on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at Harmon Meadow Plaza.
The final concert of the season will be given on Sept. 13 by local community performance arts group CAST, which presents “Good Evening Secaucus” at 7 p.m. at Buchmuller Park.
For more information, call town hall at (201) 330-2000.
Movies
The town hosts movies Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in Buchmuller Park July 10, 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21, and 28. Movies will be shown Fridays at Harmon Meadow Plaza on July 27 and Aug. 17 at 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Xchange development at Secaucus Junction on June 2, July 7, and Sept. 1.
The Secaucus Public Library offers adults free movies on most Tuesdays in June, beginning at 1 p.m. June 5, “Contraband,” an R-rated action drama starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsdale, 110 minutes; June 12, “This Means War,” a PG-13 rated romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine, 97 minutes; June 19, “The Gray,” an R-rated drama starring Liam Neeson and Dermont Mulroney, 117 minutes; and June 26, “Man on a Ledge,” a PG-13 rated drama starring Sam Worthington and Ed Harris, 102 minutes.
Kids can watch free movies at the library in July and August every Monday at 2 p.m.
Outdoor swimming
The Secaucus Swim Center has a number of pools including an Olympic-sized pool, an adult training pool with a handicap lift, a dive pool, and one for kiddies with water spouts and sprays. Grassy areas provide for shade and the center also has a covered area with picnic tables and a concession stand that offers food and refreshments. The pool opened over Memorial Day weekend and will be open on weekends until June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As of June 18, the pool is open daily through to Sept. 9.
The Swim Center offers local residents special free nights for kids and teens that feature music, food, refreshments, and activities. Kids Night will be held July 11 and Aug. 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Teen Night will be held July 25 and Aug. 8 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Back to School Family Night will be held Aug. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Non-residents have to be sponsored by a Secaucus resident to get access to the pool unless they are from one of the following interlocal municipalities: Weehawken, Hoboken, Nutley, or Rutherford. For more information or for membership rates, call (201) 330-2076.
Recreation and meditation
The Secaucus Recreation Center offers members an indoor swimming pool, walking/running track, aerobic and yoga classes, basketball courts, and an exercise room. The latest feature at the Rec Center includes an outdoor meditation garden, open to all, that offers serenity and quiet with trickling water, trees, and a view of the Mill Creek Marsh against the backdrop of the New York City skyline. For more information or membership rates, call: (201) 330-3299.
Youth activities
The Secaucus Public library offers a number of free programs aimed at youth including summer reading, crafts classes, and gaming. Every Thursday in June and every Friday in July and August children and teens are invited to play board games or their own portable gaming devices at the library.
Summer reading registration begins on Wednesday, June 20. The summer reading six week challenge begins on July 1 and ends on Aug. 8. Participants will be entered into a weekly raffle to be eligible to win special prizes. All who complete their reading challenge by Aug. 8 will be invited to the Summer Reading Pizza Party on Thursday, Aug. 9.
Summer Readers for three-year-olds: This program meets Monday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. from July 9 to Aug. 6. A caregiver must stay with the child during the program. Participants must register for all five sessions.
Summer Readers for four-year-olds: This program meets Tuesday mornings, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and runs July 10 to Aug. 7. Participants must register for all five sessions.
Summer Readers for five and six-year-olds: This program meets Wednesday mornings, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., and runs July 11 to Aug. 8. Participants must register for all five sessions.
Craft Do-It-Yourself workshops for tweens ages 8-12 take place throughout the summer. This program starts at 3:30pm on the following dates: 6/20, 7/10, 717, 7/24, and 7/31.
Join Youth Services Librarian Lanora Melillo in July on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for Bed Time Stories, a 30 minute interactive story session.
Kids ages 9 and up are invited to join local art teacher Doug DePice for three Silk Screening classes. This workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 10, July 17, and July 24. Participants must register for all three sessions.
Join “Explore Science” for an interactive Tower Competition on Thursday, July 19 at 11 a.m. Youths ages 8 to 13 are invited to create and challenge their friends during this fun and engaging program. Kids ages 5 and up can learn how to make your own sidewalk chalk with “Explore Science” on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m.
Kids can meet a variety of live turtles and tortoises during a Live Turtle Show on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. Participants will learn how turtles live, eat and hibernate.
For schedule updates, visit: Secaucus.bccls.org. To register for events, call: (201) 330-2085.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.