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Victorian Week in Cape May, New Jersey

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Cape May celebrates the 38th anniversary of Victorian Week this year from October 8th to the 14th. The festival has been rated one of North America’s “top 100 Events”. Victorian Week is a week-long extravaganza celebrating Cape May’s Victorian heritage, featuring Historic House Tours, Murder Mystery Dinners, Chocolate Fantasy Buffet, Vintage Dance Workshop, Crafts and Antiques Shows, living history programs, lectures, workshops, performances and more.

October 8-11, Victorian Week Murder Mystery Dinners:

Interact with the characters and solve the mystery as you enjoy a four-course dinner or luncheon at the Inn of Cape May at 7 Ocean Street. Attend one of the dinners Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday night. Admission is $45.00. The event is limited and reservations are necessary.

October 9 and 10, Vintage Dance Weekend:

Kick up your heels as they did in Cape May during its Victorian heyday. Instructors will teach you the traditional dances of the 19th century at a Vintage Dance Workshop on Saturday October the 9th from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, put your new found expertise to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period at 8 p.m. on Saturday night. A Tea Dance, also with live music, is scheduled for Sunday, October the 10th at 1 p.m. Victorian dress is encouraged but not required. Refreshments are included at the Ball and Tea Dance. An all-inclusive package is available or you can purchase tickets for the events individually. A Dance Weekend Package is available for $95.00. Tickets for the  Ball are $35.00 per person. Tickets for the Tea Dance are $25.00 per person. The Workshops cost $45.00 per person.

October 10, Chocolate Fantasy Buffet:

If you love chocolate, you won’t want to miss the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet. Milk or dark, whatever your preference, you can fulfill your chocolate fantasy in the decadence of a completely chocolate buffet. Washington Inn Chef Kathleen Cressman-Pastiu will be on hand to share the secrets of her trade. The extravaganza begins at 2 p.m. at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street on Sunday, October the 10th, 2010. Admission is $35 per person.

The festival runs from Friday, October 8th, 2010 to Thursday, October 14th, 2010. It is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

Last Fling Pumpkin Sling
October 30 & 31

Pumpkin Sling

Sponsored by the Highlands Tourism Partnership, the Last Fling Pumpkin Sling will encourage students in junior high, high school or involved in civic groups to build a catapult or trebechet that can sling a pumpkin. The project will be a collaboration of brain and brawn as students work together as a team. The teams will come together to compete on October 30 & 31, 2010 at Hensler Farms on Route 519 just outside of Belvidere, NJ.

Area maps will be available so those that are visiting the event can also enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and explore the nearby historic towns, local winery and NJ Audubon birding and wildlife trails. More details to come.

Price: TBA
908-213-9176
http://www.pumpkinsling.com
info@pumpkinsling.com

Cranford NJ 20th Annual Street Fair

Janet says:
October 11, 2009 at 9:31 am
There is a street fair in Cranford scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. It is sponsored by the same organization as the fair held in May. It is a rain/shine event. Unfortunately, rain pretty much washed out the event in May. Here’s hoping the Oct. fair has great weather. The people of Cranford seem to have great community spirit as they were out with umbrellas and rain gear in May. My website is listed above and I will be a vendor at this upcoming event. Look for me in the area of the car show. Hope to see you there.

Reply
John Stringfellow says:
October 11, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Janet,

Thanks for the information. How is anyone supposed to find out about these street fairs? The streetfairs.com website list no information for the public at all, not even a list of shows or dates of shows.

Are the Cranford Street Fairs a secret? Are they only for the citizens of Cranford? I would love to post more information about these events, but there seems to be no more information!

John

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Cranford Street Fair and Classic Car Show
Sunday, October 18, 2009, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, downtown Cranford
Contact Person : Darryl Walker
Telephone Number: 908 654-1400
Web Site: Cranford.com Events

To get to the Cranford Street Fair, take the Garden State Parkway to exit 137 and look for signs to direct you to the street fair and parking.

Cranford is located in Union County in Central Jersey. Some nearby communities include Union, Garwood, Westfield, Roselle Park, Clark, Kenilworth and Roselle. It is located on Route 28 west of Elizabeth. Cranford had a population of 22,578 in the 2000 census.

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, N.J. —This resort community has developed a series of major fall special events and none is larger than its Indian Summer Weekend Festival, Oct. 10-12. Centerpiece of the event is the mile-long block party that extends from 5th to 14th Streets along Asbury Ave. on Sat., Oct. 10. It normally attracts over 50,000 visitors.

Over 400 juried crafters from throughout the east coast participate in the block party that features hand made products ranging from wind chimes and floral decorations to paintings and photography. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year a huge fireworks display is scheduled on Saturday following the block party. The fireworks will be set off from a barge off the 9th St. Beach starting at 9:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. prior to the fireworks there will be boardwalk entertainment including a strolling string band and two additional bands between 6th and 14th Sts. A magician will perform and there will be Karaoke and pony rides.

Block Party events also include a variety of foods highlighted by Greek specialties, ribs, sea foods, pizza, hotdogs, burgers, baked goods and more.

Bands and street musicians entertain along the block party route from 1 to 4 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Tidal Wave, Tony Deluca and the Ralph Roberts Trio and Keith Hickman. There are free pony rides for children at the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave. also from 1-4 p.m. Public service displays for non-profit organizations are set up on 9th St. between Asbury and Central Aves.

First Night New Years Eve admission buttons will be available during the block party at a table near City Hall steps. For Night offers over 60 entertainment programs at a 14 central locations and concludes with a fireworks display at midnight. Tickets are an economical $14 per person.

All City municipal lots will be free during the block party and parking meters are free. Parking at the Transportation Center, 10th and Haven Ave., will be free.

The Indian Summer festival has been held for 28 years and attracts thousands of visitors who remain in Ocean City for the weekend. It is sponsored by the Retail Merchants Assn. of Ocean City in cooperation with the City.

Visitors will have plenty to see and do during the festival. In addition to the block party, there is a seafood center set up at the Music Pier, Oct. 10-12 and Boardwalk merchants hold table sales starting Fri., Oct. 9 and ending Mon., Oct. 12. Downtown merchants will hold a sidewalk sale on Sun., Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Asbury Ave.

The Ocean City Tabernacle, 6th and Asbury Ave., will present a block party night concert on Sat., Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. featuring recording artist Dave Boyer with ballads and hymns in a mellow style. The guest band will feature Mel Seals on the piano, Richard Stanislaw, bass and John Civera, drums. Tickets are $12, $10 in advance and ten for $80 call 609-399-1915.

The weekend kicks off with a performance by the legendary band, “Survivor,” whose hits include “Eye of the Tiger.” The show will be held in the Music Pier Auditorium, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, on Fri., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available on line at www.ocnj.us or by calling 609-525-9300. The program benefits the Ocean City Education Foundation.

There will be no jitney transportation from the airport to the block party this year.

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NOTE: The new car show scheduled for the Boardwalk Oct. 3-4, and the new car show that is normally held as part of the block party have been cancelled because dealer inventory has been depleted due to the Cash for Clunkers Sale.

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Block Party

We are a tax-exempt registered NJ non profit here in the Boro that was established to provide adults with a fun night out to gather with good friends and neighbors ‘Under the Stars’

Tickets are 20$ and the price includes incredible hors d’ oeuvres from the Brothers Moon Restaurant, Antimo’s Italian Kitchen, Franco’s Vincenzo’s and Pennington Market.

There will be a selection of specialty & premium beers from the Historic Hopewell House, a commemorative pint glass showcasing all of our local business sponsors, a great dance band featuring members of Sting’s band and Hot Tuna, and a beautiful setting under the stars next to the Dana Building.

Candle-lit tables will be set up outside on the grass, as well as in the community garden.
Local ‘Celebrity’ bartenders will be on hand to serve up your favorite selection. (Social permit #10002957)

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Event Details:
Event Name: Hopewell Block Party
Event Venue: Community Garden
Event Street Address: 2 East Braod Street
Event City: Hopewell, NJ 08525
Event County: Mercer County
Event Date: Friday, Oct 9th, 7 to 10pm
Event Admission: $20.00 per person
Event Phone: 609-865-9818
Event Website: http://www.hopewellboro-nj.us/cms/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

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Fall Fest

Join us as we celebrate fall in historic downtown New Egypt!

Live country music with First Time Around
FREE Country Line Dance instruction 11-12 p.m.
FREE Face Painting!
FREE Inflatables!
FREE Pony rides!
Strolling juggler
Great food! Crafters! Shopping!

Discover Plumsted Township’s Eastern Bluebirds through a free Bluebird Trail! The trail will include 9 fun and informative stations throughout the festival.

Start your day at the Kenneth H. Francis Memorial Kayak & Canoe Race/Tour at 8 a.m.

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Event Details:
Event Name: Fall Fest
Event Venue: outside street fair
Event Street Address: 1 No. Main St.
Event City: New Egypt, New Jersey, 08533
Event County: Ocean County
Event Date: Sunday, Nov 1, 11am-4pm
Event Admission: free
Event Phone: 609 758-7461
Event Website: http://www.mainstreetne.org/

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Long Beach Island New Jersey . Barnegate Lighthouse . Photo by Thisisbossi

The Jersey Shore’s 21st Annual Chowderfest is set for Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October, 4, 2009. Saturday features an “End-of-Season Blowout Bargains in a Fall Fair under the Big Top” and Sunday features the Chowderfest Cook-off.

Restaurants in the area are busy working up their best chowders in preparation to for the big contest to see who will be crowned “King of the Clams” on October the 4th this year in Beach Haven, New Jersey. This friendly fight puts the best chefs in the area into direct competition to prove that they are the Champion Chowdermeister.

In 2008 a total of 17 restaurants registered for the contest. New to the competition last year were the Mud City Crab House from Manahawkin, Merri-Makers Caterers from Ship Bottom and The 308 Deli from Beach Haven. Any newcomers this year will put their chowders up against returning 2008 Grand Prize Winners, California Grill & Pizza, of Beach Haven Terrace, and Stefano’s Restaurant of Beach Haven. Other restaurants entering the competition this year will be added to this notice when more information is available. Any restaurants interested in entering the contest this year can call the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce office at (609) 494-7211 x 100 for an entry form or go to the website and download an entry form Here Or go to: Chowderfest.com

The Chowderfest Cook-off Competition starts at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday and runs until 4:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy unlimited chowder tasting for $20.00 per person and $10.00 for children up to 12 years. Special early admission is available with a free commemorative Chowderfest T Shirt for $50.00. The winners of the contest are decided by popular vote.
For more information on tickets see the Chamber Chowderfest Website. www.chowderfest.com.
Great video of Chowderfest 2008: http://web.me.com/myvideoeditor/Site/Chowderfest_2008.html

The festival is produced by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce. The festival’s primary sponsors in 2008 were Bud Light, the Sandpaper and Beachcomber newspapers, US Foodservice and WJRZ Radio.

About the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce:
The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) is the region’s primary business and destination marketing organization, representing 14 municipalities, including Long Beach Island (LBI) in the Southern Ocean County region for more than 90 years.

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*Notes: The photo at the top is from Flickr and was created by Thisisbossi, you can see his fine work here. The image was published with a Creative Commons license which means:

“you can download the images (at full resolution!), reinterpret the images and display them under the condition that you give credit to the original artist AND allow any other artist to manipulate and distribute your version under the same agreement.”

I have made adjustments to the photo to work on this page for my purposes and in my format. I hereby publish the photo here under the same license that the owner published the original. You are free to take my version of the photograph and adapt it to your purposes as long as you give me credit for my adaptation. I would also love it if you would give the photographer credit also, as they deserve the credit.

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Riverfest in Frenchtown New Jersey

Saturday, September 5th 2009 12-6pm with music into the night & Sunday, September 6th 2009 12:30-6pm

Riverfest is hosted by the Frenchtown Business & Professional Association with assistance from the State of New Jersey Division of Tourism and Earthwise Associates.

The organizers recognize the generosity of the numerous sponsors, who have made this free event possible, in particular our most generous sponsors TD Bank, Elizabethtown Gas, and Stem Brothers. In addition we wish to thank Naturelle Water Purification Systems, Wal-Mart, Printech-Imaging for Business, Flemington Car and Truck Country, and ShopRite of Flemington.

This year Riverfest is a Green Community Festival that will answer your questions on how to buy, build, eat, play, be and live lightly on our earth. Also this is a chance to re-cycle your old stinky sneakers and your household batteries.

The green vendors will provide information not only on home energy audits, green building, retrofitting and remodeling homes to become energy efficient and save money but also how to live in a green sustainable manner.

Start with a home energy audit (before the budget for the program is exhausted) from Green Domain or perhaps start with a house designed by Eclectic Architecture. You will need a tankless water heater from P.U.L.S.E Plumbing & heating, solar panels from Sun Saver Solar Systems, geothermal from Garden State Geothermal, energy from the wind from Wagner Energy Solutions and Radiant Comfort to install your radiant heat. Materials for your new home from Citilogs, and Revival Construction to help you build, for your pool Rin Robyn Pools, and landscaping with native plants from B.W.Bosenberg and CopperCreek, and mow your Garden State Safe Lawn with your Neuton Electric mower from Mayberry Inc. Then you tootle around the countryside on an electric scooter from Ride Green Us or drive your energy efficient hybrid from Flemington Car and Truck Country or check out the cool green dune buggy that runs on biofuel at Stem Brother’s tent.

In your new green energy efficient home you will want Cool Green Stuf made from recycled stuff, and make your home sparkle with natural cleaning products from Clarke Family Business.

Stroll down Frenchtown’s charming streets and visit their quaint and unique shops. Many talented artists and craftspeople will be well represented at the event including Cindy Levinson, Delaware Valley Bead Society, William Roth Designs, Ideal Jewelry, Joi’s Jewelry, and Rebecca Rose. Many have been sharing their work at Riverfest for the past 5 years.

In addition to Frenchtown’s excellent restaurants and cafes there will be displays of organic and local foods from raw to gluten free, from grass fed beef and free-range chickens to the full late summer bounty of local fruits and vegetables in other words a mini Farmer’s Market. The Lion’s Club will also provide yummy food throughout both days.

We depend on water so here is a chance to learn about how to purify it (filters) Naturelle Water Purification Systems and how to use less of it (make a rain barrel with Jack Guthrie) and find alternative ways to transport it (reusable stainless-steel bottles from Back 2 Tap). We urge everyone to bring their own reusable water bottles or buy one at the festival because this is a plastic free event!

Riverfest is a family event. This year, being mindful of the green theme, there will be plenty for kids including eco art and learning how simple it is to reduce your carbon footprint. Be sure and stop by Earthwise.US tent and make your pledge that cost nothing and saves you money.

Live Music throughout the day by The Swinging Richards, Top Soil, Payer, Dave Rounsaville and more.
Arm of the Sea a theatrical puppet performance will present “Turtle Island Medicine Show” at 1:30 and 4 on Saturday September 5th.

Don’t miss the ever popular Haute Re-cycled Couture Pet Show on Sunday 6th at 2pm. (Bubble wrap makes a great rain hat for poodles and llamas) To enter a pet call Cleo at Alchemy 908-996-9000.

And don’t miss the first ever Whatever Floats Your Eco-Boat Race Sunday 6th at 3pm. If you haven’t made your under 18inches biodegradable boat come make one on Saturday 5th in the alcove on race street by the National Hotel.

www.frenchtownnj.org www.earthwise.us

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Event Details:
Event Name: Riverfest: Frenchtown Goes Green Again
Event Venue: Downtown Historic Frenchtown NJ
Event Street Address: Bridge Street
Event City: Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Event County: Hunterdon
Event Date: Saturday & Sunday September 5th & 6th 12-6
Event Admission: FREE
Event Phone: 908-403-2421
Event Website: http://www.frenchtownnj.org
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The Yellowjackets @ The New Jersey Blues and Jazz Festival

New Brunswick, NJ (July 20, 2009)—The State Theatre presents the annual return of the New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival at the Backstage Jazz Club, September 24-26, 2009. It’s an all-star musical lineup in an intimate setting for serious and casual jazz and blues fans alike. Featured performances during the festival include Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers (9/24/09 at 8pm & 10pm); Marcia Ball (9/25/09 at 8pm & 10pm); and the Yellowjackets (9/26/09 at 8pm & 10pm).

All three performances take place in the exclusive 230-seat club-style venue on stage. Tickets for State Theatre donors (Benefactor and up) are on sale now. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, July 24 at 10am. Tickets range from $35-50. The festival has been made possible by the generous support of New Millennium Bank.

“The New Jersey Blues and Jazz Festival is one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. There is absolutely nothing better than sitting 10 feet away from world class artists listening to them play! It’s like being in their living room! And the lineup this year is nothing short of stupendous. Rod Piazza tore the house down last year and is high, high energy! You’ll never see Marcia Ball in a venue this intimate . . . NEVER. And life on a Saturday night with the Yellow Jackets and your favorite beverage doesn’t get any better. I plan on living at the theatre that weekend,” commented State Theatre President & CEO Wes Brustad.

The schedule for New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival at the Backstage Jazz Club is as follows:

Thu, September 24 at 8pm & 10pm at the Backstage Jazz Club
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers

From his first recordings as a leader in 1967 fronting The Dirty Blues Band, through his multiple W.C. Handy award-winning releases with his current band The Mighty Flyers, to his countless appearances both live and on record with the most revered names in the blues, Rod Piazza has established himself as one of the most influential living blues harp players. The Mighty Flyer’s sound is a blues combination of low-down Chicago grit, suave West Coast swing and jazz, and the rhythmic drive of early R&B and rock & roll making them one of the most distinctive bands in blues today.
Tickets: $45 Table Seat, $35 Chairs.

Fri, September 25 at 8pm & 10pm at the Backstage Jazz Club
Marcia Ball
Singer/pianist Marcia Ball knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking, roadhouse blues, and heartfelt ballads. Over the course of her three-decade career, Ball has earned a huge and intensely loyal following all over the world. Her exquisite piano playing and passionate, playful vocals fuse New Orleans and Gulf Coast R&B with Austin’s deep songwriting tradition into a sound No Depression described as “a little rock, a lot of roll, a pinch of rhythm and a handful of blues.”
Tickets: $50 Table Seat, $40 Chairs.

Sat, September 26 at 8pm & 10pm at the Backstage Jazz Club

Yellowjackets
The Yellowjackets perform an evening of eclectic, electric jazz fusion. Building on a bedrock of jazz, funk, rock, and R&B, the Grammy^®-winning quartet has been pushing the boundaries of music for over a quarter of a century. “One of the most respected and critically-recognized improvisatory bands in the world,” says Keyboard Magazine.
Tickets: $50 Table Seat, $40 Chairs.

On Stage Venue— Backstage Jazz Club
This 230-seat on stage venue is custom designed to give patrons an exclusive club-style experience just inches away from the artists. The Backstage Jazz Club provides a unique environment for patrons to relax on stage, face the beautiful interior of the magnificently renovated 1921 hall, and experience music from living jazz and blues greats up close and personal. The venue’s entrance and all accommodations are backstage. There will be assigned table seating and general admission non-table seating, as well as light fare, and a fully-stocked bar.

For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.

The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. William Grant & Sons, our season spirits’ sponsor. 

STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, Middlesex County, Central New Jersey

Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online – www.StateTheatreNJ.org

Hoboken Italian Festival

The Hoboken Italian Festival will take place the second weekend in September in downtown Hoboken. The dates for the 2009 celebration are Thursday through Sunday, September 10th -13, 2009. The origins of this festival can be traced back to Italy. In 1399 the King of Napoli ordered that a local street festival and religious celebration be joined to commemorate the “Miracle” and blessings of the Madonna. That festival is referred to as the Madonna Dei Martiri or the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri.

The parade or procession runs through the streets of Hoboken.

Here is a review of the schedule for the festival:
 

Thursday, September 10, 2009

• 5:00 – 7:00:  Heroes Of The State – rock band
• 7:00 – 10:00:  The Benjamins – high energy rock band
• 8:30:  Pizza-Eating Contest

Friday, September 11, 2009

• 5:00 – 7:00:  Monte’s Pythons – popular cover band
• 7:00 – 11:00:  Mirage – Italian American wedding band

Saturday, September 12, 2009

• 12:30 – 1:30:  Johnny Maggio sings Sinatra, Bennett, Martin
• 1:30 – 2:30:  La Strana Sensazione – Italy’s most popular hits
• 2:30 – 3:30:  Aaron Caruso – songs from Sergio Franchi, Andrea Bocelli, Jerry Vale,  Mario Lanza
• 3:30 – 4:30: La Strana Sensazione
• 4:30 – 5:30: Aaron Caruso
• 5:30 – 6:30: La Strana Sensazione
• 7:00 – 11:00: Oro Puro – Italian Show Band
• 8:30:  Cannoli-Eating Contest
• 9:00:  Fireworks Display

Sunday, September 13, 2009

• 12:30 – 3:30: Jersey Kidz – young rock/pop
• 3:30 – 4:30:  Hannah Montana portrayed by Courtney Searle
• 4:30 – 5:30:  Grape Stomp Contest:  Police vs. Firemen
• 5:30 – 6:30:  Krystal – rock
• 6:30 – 7:30:  The Bronx Wanderers – Dion, Frankie Valli - 4 Seasons,  Brooklyn Bridge
• 8:00 – 9:00:  Lee Logan & The Legendary Drifters – Drifters original hits
• 9:00 – 10:00:  The Bronx Wanderers
• 10:00:  Grand 50/50 Raffle

Hoboken is located in Hudson County in North Jersey