Italian Festival
Andrew Scagnelli
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Local News
On September 10-13, Hoboken once again held its annual Italian Festival on Sinatra Drive. Although the first three nights were too waterlogged for fun, the final day of the festival brought back the traditional cheer, amusements, shopping and live music. Also notable this year were fireworks at end the festival and a special cake from Hoboken's own "Cake Boss."
The festival celebrates the feast of the Madonna dei Martiri, a Catholic feast from Naples that dates back to 1399. The King of Naples, Ladislao di Durazzo, ordered the feast to celebrate the finding of the Icon of the Madonna, which was discovered by Crusaders returning to their homes. The icon was kept in the Hospice of Molfetta, where it eventually became known as the religious relic "Madonna of the Martyrs."
The centerpiece of the festival was the day-long procession of the statue of the Madonna on Sunday, culminating with the Blessing of the Feet in the Hudson River.
This year's festival was a marked departure from previous years in the variety of foods offered. While past festivals have stuck close to the standard fair fare of zeppole, funnel cakes and ice cream, this year expanded to include heavy influence from Asian, Hispanic and other cultures with offerings such as sushi, crepes and empanadas. While the variety was unexpected, it was a welcome variation from previous years.
As always, there were amusements for kids, including slides and a small climbing wall.
The Italian Festival will return next year, following Labor Day weekend. The festival is produced by the Society Madonna dei Martiri, an organization dating back to the start of the festival whose mission is to run each year's event.
The festival celebrates the feast of the Madonna dei Martiri, a Catholic feast from Naples that dates back to 1399. The King of Naples, Ladislao di Durazzo, ordered the feast to celebrate the finding of the Icon of the Madonna, which was discovered by Crusaders returning to their homes. The icon was kept in the Hospice of Molfetta, where it eventually became known as the religious relic "Madonna of the Martyrs."
The centerpiece of the festival was the day-long procession of the statue of the Madonna on Sunday, culminating with the Blessing of the Feet in the Hudson River.
This year's festival was a marked departure from previous years in the variety of foods offered. While past festivals have stuck close to the standard fair fare of zeppole, funnel cakes and ice cream, this year expanded to include heavy influence from Asian, Hispanic and other cultures with offerings such as sushi, crepes and empanadas. While the variety was unexpected, it was a welcome variation from previous years.
As always, there were amusements for kids, including slides and a small climbing wall.
The Italian Festival will return next year, following Labor Day weekend. The festival is produced by the Society Madonna dei Martiri, an organization dating back to the start of the festival whose mission is to run each year's event.