What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except on Friday night, Aug. 28, when Vegas came to North Bergen, complete with gambling, showgirls, and a rousing musical set by Elvis himself (or a reasonable facsimile thereof). The occasion was the annual pool party, the big event that wraps up the season before the pool shuts down after Labor Day, and the grounds were packed with people swimming, dancing, playing the tables and slots, and eating from a vast buffet of delicious dishes.
The hottest ticket in town, the event was completely sold out, with 1,100 attendees, up from about 800 last year.
“I’ve come for the last few years and it just keeps getting better,” said Ady Galvin, a town resident for 10 years and the director of the bilingual program for the schools. She brought her four kids to the event. “And they loooooove it. Last year was the luau and this year they have even more stuff. They were really creative with the [gambling] tables.”
The party scenario changes annually, with past events based on pirates, jungles, dinosaurs, and more. “Every year we come up with a theme,” said Hugo Cabrera, commissioner of parks and public property. “The pool staff puts it all together. We tell them, ‘It’s a casino’ and set them loose.”
“I’ve come for the last few years and it just keeps getting better.” –Ady Galvin
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“I do a lot of theatrical scene building and lighting in my other life, and Steve is a tremendous graphic artist and visual artist,” said Bonacci. “We’re like left and right hands. We dream it up together, I build it, and he paints it.”
This year the decorations included a giant guitar, massive dice in the pool, a fountain built from kiddie pools, the “Casino Royale,” and even somebody napping on the roof, in a sly nod to the movie “The Hangover.”
Attendees walked in under a sign proclaiming “Welcome to Las Vegas North Bergen” and were instantly greeted by Police Officer Eric Crafton, handing out 3,000 strings of beads donated by event co-sponsor Jersey City Ford, who also provided generous amounts of candy for the kids.
Food from around the world
Long tables in the picnic area were filled with foods of all varieties and ethnicities: Spanish, Italian, Cuban, Colombian, Chinese. “All the food was donated. Everything that was eaten tonight was all free,” said Bonacci.
“We’ve even got the chief of police cooking burgers with Freeholder Anthony Vainieri,” said Cabrera. “Everybody’s here together contributing, trying to help.”
“We were here until one in the morning last night, one in the morning the day before, putting it together,” said Bonacci. “The guys at the R&T [repair and transportation] garage and OEM, they brought all the lights and the string lights and the generators. It’s become a real big community event. We all work together.”
Most of the people contributing their time and efforts were volunteers. “They really went all-out tonight,” said town resident Christopher Begbie, attending with his wife and 2-year-old daughter. “There was tons of really good food. And the kids are having an amazing time. This community, they always get together and they’re strong. And it always shows.”
“This is my first time at the party,” said his wife, Ellen Begbie, a teacher at Fulton School. “I’m having a great time, running into friends. I grew up here but I haven’t been at the pool in like 20 years. This is amazing compared to the old pool.”
“I live in Jersey City but I join this pool every year,” said partygoer Linda Picca. “I grew up in North Bergen. I used to be a member here when I was a kid, when it was on 88th Street.”
North Bergen’s previous pool was closed years ago and the current location opened in 2007. “In the very beginning, back in the early ’90s, this was more of an adult party,” explained Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “It was at the old pool and there wasn’t really anybody bothering to swim. It probably lasted about five years at the old pool. Then when we opened this pool we began to do it here and it became a family night and it’s very popular.”
Music and prizes
Postponed from its originally planned night of Aug. 21 due to weather concerns, the event couldn’t have been more perfect, with a gorgeous evening and a full moon shining down on the celebratory carnival atmosphere.
“And what’s Las Vegas without Elvis?” asked Bonacci. Kids danced energetically to the white jumpsuited-singer belting out hits while a pair of showgirls in multiple costumes brought a touch of the Vegas strip to the festivities.
“I don’t mind the classics,” said high schooler Christian Pacheco about the music. “I’m an old soul. I used to live with my grandmother for like 15 years and that’s her music. The Mamas and the Papas, all that old stuff. The Beatles.”
The night ended in a 50/50 drawing, with $214 going to Donna Puff, a frequent volunteer for fundraisers and charities around town. The rest of the money raised went into a fund for the pool.
Over at the casino, the roulette and craps and card games were wrapping up and the slot machines shutting down. Gamblers who won tickets placed them in pouches for a chance to win gift baskets before Mayor Sacco and some of the commissioners announced the winners.
Andre Pacheco, 11, was pleased to win a basket filled with toys, books, cookies, and more. He was also surprised, since he didn’t enter the drawing.
“He was in the pool and my dad and I got it for him,” said his generous sister Melanie, 8, who also won a basket. Meanwhile, George Vasquez was beaming, having won two baskets loaded with candies and sweets.
So what was the best part of the evening? “The gambling!” said Annette Appuliese, who has been attending the annual shindig with her whole family since it was held at the old pool. Her daughter Doris and husband Steve were both appropriately dressed in Las Vegas t-shirts. “I couldn’t get him away from the table,” said Annette. “And we just came back from Atlantic City!”
Main sponsors for the event were Boulevard Diner, Dad’s Grill, Hudson Bread, Jersey City Ford, Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Lido Restaurant, Rumba Cubana, Sabor Latin Bistro, ShopRite, Tapas de Espana, and Waterside Restaurant. Other sponsors were Brick Oven, Coach House, GP’s Restaurant and Bar, Las Chicas, Jersey Meatball Company, Noches de Colombia, Outback Steakhouse, Palermo Ristorante and Pizza, Patsy’s, Roma Pizzeria, Rose’s Italian Deli, Sal’s Pizza Bar, Wendy’s, and Yum Yum Express.
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.