HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken will bring back its traditional River City Fair this fall, reviving an originalo waterfront festival along Sinatra Drive on Sept. 26.
The city announced last week that the Saturday event will replace the Fall Arts and Music Festival, which used to be held each Sunday in fall.
However, Hoboken will still host an annual Spring Arts and Music Festival every year, officials told Patch.
The fair will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. between First Street and Fifth Street, with live entertainment, local artists and makers, food vendors, community organizations, and activities for all ages.
Prospective vendors will be able to apply for a spot next month, and interested performers can contact the city's Division of Cultural Affairs at culturalaffairs@hobokennj.gov.
Why The Change?
The festival will include two stages, one at Sinatra Park and one at Pier A.
According to the city, Pier A Park, which juts into the Hudson River, can provide more space for attendees than the Observer Highway stage at the foot of Washington Street. In spring, the arts festival drew more than 3,000 concertgoers, the city said.
Headliners Announced
Headlining the main stage at Pier A will be Cherokee Social, a Colorado-based indie pop duo. The act will be preceded by a series of local performers to be announced.
Sinatra Park will serve as a kid's zone, with youth bands, an area for young vendors, bounce houses and Dinosaurs Arise.
"The River City Fair was always about bringing people together to celebrate our waterfront, our arts community, our local businesses, and the people who make Hoboken so unique," said Mayor Emily Jabbour.
She added, "By bringing back the River City Fair, we're honoring an important part of Hoboken's history, including the community that worked to create a publicly accessible waterfront, while continuing to create opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy live music, discover local talent, and connect with one another."
The River City Fair was first established on Hoboken's waterfront during the 1970s, when the shoreline and working waterfront were being transformed for public recreation, cultural programming and community events.
Organized with support from the Hoboken Environment Committee, the festival brought residents and visitors to the waterfront for live entertainment, arts programming, environmental activities, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions.
The fair evolved into the Fall Arts and Music Festival in the mid-1990s as Hoboken's waterfront and event programming changed.
The city said the revived festival will continue highlighting the waterfront, the Hudson River Estuary and ecology, local businesses, and cultural organizations.
The River City Fair is organized by the Division of Cultural Affairs and sponsored by the Hoboken Business Alliance.
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