La Festa Italiana In Jersey City
A community celebration like no other, La Festa Italiana brings five fun-filled nights of fabulous foods, delicious drinks, and outstanding live bands to dance the night away.
La Festa Italiana begins Wed, Aug 7th, and runs through Sun, Aug 11th, from 5-to-11 pm each day. Located on 6th & Brunswick Streets, in the neighborhood surrounding Holy Roary Church, La Festa Italiana will dazzle festivalgoers with delicious dishes from popular bistros; frothy brews from neighborhood bars; and crowd-pleasing Jersey bands that play the hottest hits every night from 7-to-11 pm.
“People love this event,” Festival Chairman Nick Grillo says. “They plan days off, vacations, even weddings around these five days. It’s wonderful to still see so much excitement around this century-old event in this ever-changing city.”
Live Bands
This year’s entertainment is a Who’s Who of musical talent playing top hits from Bruno Mars to Bruce Springsteen and a new band performs every night. On Wed, Aug 7th, YOU’VE GOT 90s takes the stage with the best of 90s pop tunes.
“You’ve Got 90s is thrilled to kick off this year’s La Festa Italiana with our high-energy blend of 90s rock, pop, hip-hop, dance, and alternative music, ” Bass player Adam Zurbruegg says. “We can’t wait to be a part of this historic tradition.”
On Thursday, Aug 8: PROMISED LAND, a B-Street Tribute Band performs, and on Friday, Aug 9: RYAN’S EXPRESS. Saturday, Aug 10: crowd favorite THE CAMEOS return, and, on closing night, Sun, Aug 11: TOTAL SOUL, the 9-piece band that plays dance hits like ‘Shout’ and ‘Proud Mary’.
Delicious Foods
It wouldn’t be La Festa without an authentic sausage and peppers on a hard roll and DELLANO’S is back once again to bring festival goers those traditional Italian sandwiches. A big hit with La Festa-goers, the KREME BAR returns with their yummy, cheesy mozz arepas: “We always look forward to participating in La Festa Italiana,” owner Karen Herrera says. “ For the past 10 years they have made us feel like family. It’s the one event of the year that doesn’t feel like we are working. It’s just a good time with amazing people and music.”
ANNABELLA’S “House of Mozzarella” with its gourmet mozz returns offering fresh mozz on-site. MAGLIONE’S ITALIAN ICES and the MILK & CREAM BAR will offer cool summer treats. JERSEY & CO. GELATO will be back with delicious, creamy gelatos in fantastic flavors.
TROPICAL ISLANDS with three locations will have smoothies, waffles and crepes to sweeten things, and WHITE STAR’S three bars scattered throughout the festival will serve craft beers & cocktails to cool off the crowds.
Pizza is a huge hit at La Festa Italiana, and PIE OH MY! returns with five wood-fire pizzas to choose from: their signature Margherita, Vodka, Pesto and Pepperoni, and a special for La Festa: New Jersey Devils Pepperoni made with hot honey infused with chili peppers.
“La Festa is the best Italian feast in New Jersey,” owner Jed Hershkovitz says. “It’s a fun family atmosphere and it won’t burn your pockets like the rest of the festivals.”
Italian specialties handmade by church parishioners are a highlight at La Festa Italiana like their famous Zeppole (made from a secret recipe) dusted with powdered sugar: they are delicious! Homemade Rice Balls (Arancini) drizzled with tomato gravy wow the crowds every year, and at Caffe Italiano behind Holy Rosary, ‘Church Ladies’ sell freshly made cakes, cannoli, pies, coffee and tea. There’s plenty of family seating at Caffe Italiano and along with our popular Money Wheel, DJ CARLY will play non-stop tunes.
This year marks the 4th summer, O’Leary’s Publik House on Garfield Avenue hosts the Wine & Peaches and Limoncello booth. “We’re looking forward to a great time just like last year and the years before,” owner and Jersey City Firefighter Kevin O’Leary says. “At La Festa, it’s always great to see old faces and new faces.”
Sponsors
As a 501© (3) entity, La Festa relies on financial support from our very generous Gold and Silver sponsors. This year’s Gold Sponsors are Murray Paving and JCT Communications. Our Silver Sponsors are Silverman Properties and Key Food Fresh & Natural.
Feast Day Masses and Procession
On Aug. 11, 15, & 16, Holy Rosary Church will celebrate the Assumption & St. Rocco Feast Days. Beginning Sunday, Aug. 11th at 11:30 am, the Feast Day Mass venerating Maria SS. Dell’Assunta will be celebrated. Holy Rosary’s traditional Street Procession follows the Mass with the statues of Maria SS. Dell ‘Assunta and San Rocco carried through our neighborhood streets as a blessing to Downtown Jersey City. The Clarity Festival Band joins the Procession to play traditional Italian melodies along the route.
Faithful are invited to return on Thurs, Aug 15, at 11 am, for the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and again on Fri, Aug 16, at 11 am, as we honor the Feast of San Rocco with a Healing Mass. Community fellowship and unity are a highlight of La Festa Italiana.
“Every summer our parishioners’ families and friends and those visiting Jersey City come together in both a community and spiritual unity,” Chairman Grillo says. “Holy Rosary Church has always been a church of inclusivity – we welcome everyone – and La Festa gives us the opportunity to celebrate inclusiveness with music, food, and meaningful fellowship.”
Founded in 1885, Holy Rosary Church is the first Italian Church in New Jersey; and La Festa Italiana is Holy Rosary’s special way of saying thank you to its parishioners and neighbors. The Church will be open for visitors to see up-close the magnificent beauty that is Holy Rosary Church. Visitors are invited to offer a 7-day Memorial Candle before San Rocco or the Blessed Mother in honor of, or in memory of their loved ones. Donation is $10 per candle, and candles will be available in the church vestibule every evening from 5-to-9 pm.
For more information, please call us at (201) 795-0120 or (201) 776-9222, or visit our website: www.lafestajc.com; our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/lafestaitalianajc; and our Instagram page, @lafestaitalianajc.
