Craic Agus Ceól: Hoboken Irish Festival Returns May 16th

As we’ve reported in the past, the celebration of Irish Heritage in Hoboken can get a bit… um… complicated.

But it doesn’t need to be…

Gold N’ Brown

Background:
Yes—the Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on indefinite hiatus. In an effort to keep the door open for its future return, members of the Hoboken Irish-American community worked with the City of Hoboken to develop the “Hoboken Irish Festival,” seeking to maintain a legitimate celebration of Irish-American culture in Hoboken. Now in its fourth year, the event has since garnered the support of Irish Network New Jersey, Irish Network USA and the Consulate General of Ireland. The original intent of the organizers was for the event to serve as a placeholder, not a replacement for the Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Festival:
Aiming for authentic representations of Irish-American heritage, the festival itself has a heavy focus on cultural offerings, such as music, dance and sport.

This year’s entertainment includes the McLean Avenue Band, plus Hoboken favorites Gold N’ Brown, and Colin Nisbet of the Hoboken Fire Department on Bagpipes.

For the Irish dance enthusiasts, Garden Street Irish Step Dancers/Emerald Fire will be on hand, plus the Aherne Sheehan School of Irish Dance, the Kerri Smith Academy of Irish Dance and more.

Hoboken Guards Hurling

As for sport, the Hoboken Guards Hurling Club be playing on the field adjacent to Sinatra Park—offering demonstrations of Ireland’s ancient sport, with matches throughout the day. Furthermore, there will be a Youth Soccer Tournament from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Speaking of the kids, there will be pony rides, horse and carriage rides, sheep shearing, a petting zoo and traditional Irish crafts—plus Irish-themed clothing and food vendors, and an Irish Soda Bread Contest.

And of course, there will be a beer garden—presented by Finnegan’s Irish Pub.

For more information, visit the City of Hoboken’s website.

Irish Network NJ’s Steve Lenox