JERSEY CITY — Italian food, lively dance music, and traditional delicacies like fresh hot zeppoles, rice balls, and lemony Limoncello are just some of the fun treats ahead as Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City prepares for its 111th annual La Festa Italiana, an Old World Italian feast honoring the veneration of Maria SS. Dell’Assunta & San Rocco.
La Festa Italiana 2014 begins Wed, Aug. 13 and runs through Sun, Aug. 17. For those five evenings Sixth and Brunswick streets in Jersey City will transform into five summer nights filled with lively music, stand-up comedy, games of chance, kids’ activities, and delicious Italian food and libations.
La Festa Italiana promises to be extra-special when on Saturday night, stand-up comedian “Uncle Floyd” takes to the stage to perform his special brand of comedy. Uncle Floyd, who had a cable comedy show in the 1980s and 1990s, and who performs regularly in Atlantic City, is of Italian descent and says he has a fondness for La Festa Italiana because he used to go to the feast with his grandmother when he was a boy.
Uncle Floyd shares the stage Saturday night with The Cameos, a popular oldies band and regulars at La Festa Italiana. This year’s entertainment, sponsored by BGT Enterprises in Jersey City, features music for all generations. Here’s the schedule:
Wed, Aug. 13: The B Street Band
Thurs, Aug. 14: Everybody’s Everything
Fri, Aug 15: Total Soul
Sat, Aug. 16: The Cameos; Uncle Floyd
Sun, Aug. 17: Jersey Sound
“As prominent local developers, we strive to support and serve the community we work in,” Ben G. Torrei, Managing Partner of BGT Enterprises, says. “We are honored to sponsor the entertainment for the 111th annual La Festa Italiana and we hope everyone enjoys it.”
La Festa Italiana has other sponsors, too: Banner Sponsors are Silverman Properties, and Ben LoPiccolo Development Group; Site Sponsor is Introcaso-Angelo Funeral Home; and the “Super 50/50” Sponsor is Tony Ferrara & Associates. This year’s vendors will include Gia’s Gelato and Pastry Cafe, Delenio restaurant, and the bar & restaurant White Star. Other stars of La Festa Italiana are Holy Rosary’s “Famous Wine & Peaches,” the home-made lemon liqueur Limoncello, Hourly 50/50s, the popular Money Wheel, and Caffe Italiano where church members serve home-made pastries.
On Friday, Aug. 15, the Holy Rosary School Alumni Reunion Night brings together classmates throughout the years who will mix and mingle in the Holy Rosary Parish Center. Former students of Ferris High School are invited to meet up at the All-Year Ferris High School Reunion Night on Saturday, Aug 16, also in the Holy Rosary Parish Center.
Jersey City’s La Festa Italiana starts Aug. 13
