The City of Hoboken will be reviving the River City Fair, a waterfront music, arts, and culture festival, in late September, Mayor Emily Jabbour announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“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,”
she said in a statement.
“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 free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, September 26th, along Sinatra Drive from First Street to Fifth Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event is aiming to transform Hoboken’s waterfront into a destination for live entertainment, local artists and makers, local food vendors, community organizations from Hoboken and Hudson County, and activities for residents and visitors of all ages.
The festival will feature two stages, one at Sinatra Park and one at Pier A.
Pier A will provide much-needed space for attendees following the success of the Observer Highway stage during the Spring Arts & Music Festival, which drew over 3,000 concertgoers.
Headlining the River City Fair’s main stage on Pier A will be Cherokee Social, the Colorado-based indie pop duo known for its energetic live performances and genre-blending sound that incorporates elements of indie rock, soul, and Indigenous musical influences.
They will be preceded by a showcase of local bands.
Additionally, Sinatra Park will be a dedicated kid’s zone with youth bands performing an area for young vendors, bounce houses, and Dinosaurs Arise.
The River City Fair was first established on Hoboken’s waterfront during the 1970s, as the city and local advocates were transforming its shoreline and working waterfront into a destination 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 a combination of live entertainment, arts programming, environmental activities, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions.
Vendor applications for the River City Fair will launch in August, with this iteration of the fair organized by the Division of Cultural Affairs and sponsored by the Hoboken Business Alliance.
