Great local food, live entertainment, and plenty of rides and games for kids are free to Weehawken residents next weekend in Lincoln Harbor Park. The 17th annual Weehawken Day Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 6 p.m., features performances by “The Jersey Four,” one of the area’s best Frankie Valli tribute bands, the doo-wop group “The Decibelles,” hay rides, a petting zoo, moonwalks, and much more.
“When kids are having fun, they learn a lot more.” – Jeff Welz
________
Pre-register by Oct. 2
Although all Weehawken residents are welcome, pre-registration is required. Registration will be held on the first floor of Weehawken Town Hall, 400 Park St. on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the following week, beginning on Monday, Sept. 28 through Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Proof of residency is also required, so those interested in signing up must bring a form of the following: driver’s license, bank statement, and electric or telephone bill. There is a limit to one ticket per family, which will provide entry for the whole family. Again, the event is only open to those Weehawken residents who pre-register before the deadline of Friday, Oct. 2.
Staying safe
One of the biggest hits of last year’s festival was the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue’s Fire Prevention and Child Safety trailer, which creates a mock household environment to teach children about fire hazards in the home. The $40,000 trailer has fake smoke, real household appliances, an oven and a microwave.
“The trailer gives kids not only a discussion about fire safety but a hands own approach to fire prevention,” said Director of Public Safety Jeff Welz. “And the kids get a real kick out of it too.” The trailer fills with smoke and the children have to climb out a window to practice safely exiting a burning room.
There will also be a demonstration by the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad on CPR and the basics of first aid.
The winners are…
Weehawken Day will celebrate the 150th anniversary by honoring some of the township’s special residents in the “Anniversary Contest.” The award for the Most Senior Resident goes to Clara Daley Fleming, while the Longest Established Family award goes to Cindy Ann Dally Cimino. The Anniversary Baby award, given to a child born on the same day the township was incorporated 150 years ago, goes to Aoife Tighe. The contest will also honor all of the children born this year, and to residents who were born in the township. The ceremony takes place at 2:30 p.m. by the Children’s Stage.
Just for the kids
Weehawken Day has plenty of fun videogame simulators just for kids. Ages 10 and up can crank up the volume with Guitar Hero, an interactive guitar-playing videogame. The Snow Board Simulator lets kids step onto a real snowboard and shred down a snowy mountain scene. Develop skateboarding skills with Tony Hawk’s Skateboard Simulator or compete with some of the best heavyweight champions in a boxing simulator. Kids can even hang ten on some of Hawaii’s best waves, challenging their balance on a surf simulator.
Meet your neighbors
Dozens of information tables will be set up all along the walkways at the festival, allowing residents to get to know many of the local organizations. Only some of the community organizations represented include: the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, the Girl Scouts, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, the Red Cross, Weehawken High School groups, and the Weehawken Women’s Club.
The rain date for the event is scheduled for the following day, Sunday, Oct. 4.
For more information, call (201) 319-6005.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com
Free shuttle service for residents picks up at:
18th Street and Grand Street
19th Street and Hackensack Plank Road
19th Street and Grand Street
19th Street and Chestnut Street
Weehawken High School at Highwood Avenue
Roosevelt School at Cooper Place
Woodrow Wilson School at Hauxhurst Avenue
Webster School at Palisade Avenue