This Saturday, July 24, from 10 AM-4 PM, Hobokenites will transform from members of a metropolis known for its Cake Boss, plethora of bars, and young population, to water-lovin’ residents honoring their close proximity to the Hudson for the 3rd Annual City of Water Day Festival. According to the festival’s website, “City of Water Day is a FREE day of entertainment, education, and adventure for all celebrating the potential of our waterfront!” The Hoboken Museum is extending an invitation to enjoy everything this day has to offer at four different locations: Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and Governors Island, Brookyln Bridge Park, and Atlantic Basin in New York.

Each location offers different forms of entertainment for visitors, but Hoboken’s closest Water Day Festival location, the Liberty State Park, will host kayak tours, shorebird walks, a Waterfront History Tour, and face painting, fish printing, and other craft opportunities for kids. Various organizations will also set up booths at the festival to inform residents and visitors about waterfront preservation, marinas, and cleaner living through exhibits and activities; these organizations include Clean Ocean Action, the Army Corp of Engineers, Liberty Harbor Marina, and Friends of Liberty State Park.

For festival goers wishing to get an unusual, up-close-and-personal view of the Hudson, check out the free boat tours leaving from Governor’s Island! With a list of different tours to choose from (including the Future Waterfront Tour or ‘Get-A-Bit-Wet’ Fireboat Tour perfect for families), everyone can enjoy a relaxing afternoon out on the water, fit to taste. And don’t worry! If the day sucks the energy and breakfast right out of your system, all four locations are packed with Vendy-Award-Winning vendors and two concession stands, selling old school favorites such as chicken wings, fries, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs on the cheap (most expensive piece being...$6.50? Wow).

The City of Water Day Festival, founded in 2008, is sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance- “the voice of over 400 organizations with ties to our regional waterways”. This non-profit group brings together different organizations along the Hudson to transform the waterways into beautiful, clean locations for both work and play. What better way to celebrate this goal than a six-hour party? Come on Saturday, hurry it up!

For more information, schedules, or directions, see the City of Water Day Festival’s official website at www.cityofwaterday.org!