Three days of fun

Candle-makers, restaurant owners, and residents all gathered in the Plaza for the annual three-day street fair from Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5.
Secaucus residents of four years Rich Rodriguez and his daughter Sariah, 6, spent their time playing games. “I went on the bouncy house, and I went rock climbing,” Sariah said. “Last year I didn’t want to go rock climbing.”
Assistant Town Attorney Keri-Ann Eglentowicz watched as her daughter Sofia, 6, got her face painted before they viewed the rest of the fair.
Many children and adults spent time petting baby ducks, rabbits, goats, and chickens at the petting zoo near the entrance of the street fair.
Visitors came out with friends or family members to enjoy the festivities. Franklin Lakes resident Janan, 19, came out to support his friend Rick who was part of the live musical entertainment.

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“Secaucus is a wonderful place, especially for the children.” — Martha Chilal
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Another visitor, Sri Majji, came from Boston to see his friend Tja Villuria who has lived in Secaucus for a year. “I came to New Jersey to visit my friend, and then we came over here to see what it’s like. It’s pretty good,” Majji said.
Catholic Daughters of America member Joyce Berthel, 67, came with her husband George to raise money for Veterans of Foreign Wars. “I lived here all my life. I moved once,” Joyce said, “and I came right back.”
At-home baker for B&A’s Sweet Creations, Vikki Papaprazzo, came to sell items like new flavors of fudge. She said she’s been baking all her life, but she’s saving up for a storefront after starting her at-home business 10 years ago.
“This is my first outdoor fair,” Papaprazzo said.
Trucker Chester and his mother Donna came all the way from Hawthorne, N.J. to sell their homemade soy candles, Chet’s Scents. Donna said her son makes candles as a way to relieve stress. “When he’s off the road he makes candles. I just help with the selling,” Donna said. They’re candle company reuses jars and lids, and gives credit to customers who bring their own jars and lids.
Khalil and his wife Martha Chilal moved from Morocco to Secaucus. Their son Adam, 18, is graduating from Secaucus High School this month, and will attend Pennsylvania State University for physics.
“We love it here,” Martha said. “Secaucus is a wonderful place, especially for the children. The families are great, it’s safe, and everyone knows everybody. There are no drugs, either, and the police are great.”
“We came out for a walk today, but we always go to the different fairs around town,” Khalil said. “There’s a lot of great ethnic groups in this town too,” he added.