Canceling the Weehawken Day Festival a year ago, after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, was a tough decision that Mayor Richard Turner had to make.
“We absolutely couldn’t do it last year,” Turner said. “You could still see and smell the smoke rising from Ground Zero. You could see the ruins. There was still rescue and recovery going on. We were all still suffering from the trauma. Unfortunately, we had to cancel it.”
But now, a year later, Turner is pleased to be able to bring the Weehawken Day Festival back. It will be held exclusively for Weehawken residents, at Lincoln Harbor Park Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon to 6 p.m.
If it rains on Saturday, then the festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29 instead.
The day’s activities are free of charge, provided that residents pre-register to attend at Town Hall prior to the festival.
The festival, a highly anticipated tradition that brings out the best in the township’s small town flavor and spirit, will feature a variety of activities for every township resident, from infant to senior citizen.
Food, like hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers, will be provided free of charge, as well as soft drinks.
“I think we’ll go through 6,000 hot dogs, 3,000 hamburgers and about 1,000 veggie burgers,” said Chuck Barone, the township’s recreation director and coordinator of the Weehawken Day Festival. “We’ll be cooking all day.”
Volunteers from the Weehawken Elks handle the cooking, setting up shop right after dawn and going straight through until dusk.
In fact, approximately 300 residents have already volunteered their services to work the day.
There will be plenty of rides and attractions for the younger set. A cast of cartoon characters, like Pokemon’s Pikachu, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Blue from Blue’s Clues will come to life for the youngsters, performing all day. There will be circus performers and face painters galore. There will be a petting zoo, pony rides and a hay ride to a pumpkin patch.
There will also be games of chance, with the money going to respective community activities, such as the Weehawken Elks, the Cal Ripken Baseball League and the Youth Football League.
“I think we’re going to have the largest variety and the most amount of activities for all ages of kids,” Turner said. “There should be fun for all ages.”
Another highlight of the afternoon – although Turner might think differently – is the dunk tank, where people can throw baseballs at a target in an attempt to see their favorite people take an unexpected swim. Turner annually takes an extended stay in the dunk tank, which will raise money for the Weehawken Class of 2003’s activities this year.
“It’s just wonderful,” Turner said with a sarcastic laugh. “I love the dunk tank.”
So does Turner’s family, wife Eileen, son Richie and daughter Kaitlyn, who were spotted two years ago spending a lot of time and money sending their husband and father plunging into the cold waters. All for a good cause.
Also, for the first time, the Weehawken Cultural Affairs Committee will hold their annual Arts and Crafts Festival in conjunction with the Weehawken Day festivities. Some 20 artists will display their finest works for sale.
There will also be the drug and alcohol awareness poster contest, where residents will be asked to vote for the best posters that were created by Weehawken’s gradeschool students.
There will be plenty of music for people of all ages. The Muzzi Band and the Susan Scherman Swing Band will perform, much to the delight of the senior citizens and those who choose to reminisce the music of yesteryear.
Recording artist Linda Chorney, fresh off her recent appearance on the Adult Contemporary Top 40, will also perform her impressive array of pop and folk songs.
The Weehawken High School marching band will also perform.
Throughout the day, the township’s 25 civic organizations will have information tables on display that enable residents to know more about their respective groups.
Needless to say, there’s a lot of organization in pulling off an event that pleases all of the expected 4,000 residents.
“It is a little tough,” said Barone, who organized the event with recreation supervisor Donna Daly, as well as township manager James Marchetti and Turner. “We have meetings with the respective groups to go over what they’d like to see at the festival. But we’re able to put everything together for what should be a great day.”
Funding for the day comes from a special state grant awarded to the Weehawken Against Drugs and Alcohol Alliance.
Transportation to and from the festival is available for those who need it. Buses will leave every 15 minutes from four school sites: Weehawken High School (the Highwood Avenue side), Roosevelt School (the Cooper Place side), Woodrow Wilson School (the Hauxhurst Avenue side) and Webster School (the Palisade Avenue side). The buses will begin transporting passengers at 11:30 a.m., with the last bus leaving at 4:30 p.m. Buses will also be available at various spots around the town as well, but residents are encouraged to go to the school spots to pick up the bus.
Residents are also encouraged to register for the event at Town Hall on Park Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Proof of residence is required. The residents then receive a card that will enable them to enter the festival.
“It’s an event that brings everyone together,” Turner said. “It’s enjoyable for everyone. If the weather holds out, it will be a tremendous day. This event epitomizes what Weehawken is all about.”
And it’s perhaps the most important Weehawken Day Festival, considering the events of a year ago.
“It is significant that we’re bringing it back,” Turner said. “A lot of changes took place after the attacks and many events were cancelled last year. But we have to get back to normal as best as we can. We’re picking up and moving forward and I think that this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever. It’s an entire community event, one that we’re all proud to hold.” If anyone wishes to volunteer their services for the Weehawken Day Festival, they are encourage to call Town Hall at (201) 319-6006.