Don't call it a festival. Don't call it a street fair. It may resemble either or both, but in Hoboken, this is the mother of all feasts. It celebrates the city's patron saint, brought to this country by those early settlers from Monte San Giacomo, the little hill town from where the original Italian immigrants to Hoboken came.
NOTE: IN MY FIRST VERSION OF THIS POST I PUT THE INCORRECT START DATE OF THE FEAST. IT WILL OPEN WEDS. JULY 22 NOT FRIDAY JULY 19 (FRIDAY IS NOT JULY 19 ANYWAY!) I REGRET MY ERROR BUT ONLY HOPE YOU HAVE A CALENDAR AND CHECKED IT YOURSELF.
I took part in my first festa last year, so I didn't know what to expect. I found my way to St. Ann's Church at 704 Jefferson St, coming too early on opening day and having to return hours later for the opening event and the food. I won't make that mistake this year. I'm told Italian parties do not necessarily start on time. This is scheduled to start at either 5 or 7 P.M.--I've read both--on Wednesday July 22, and I'm opting for 7 P.M. There will be an opening ceremony on the steps of the church and music and food until late at night. The festa will continue, with breaks of course, through the weekend and the next, winding up with a procession on Sunday July 26.
Among the food booths, the most famous is the one run by the ladies of the church itself. They have a closely-guarded recipe for zeppoli, and you won't find any better anywhere, even in Italy. The price is right, and the proceeds will go to a good cause.
I hope I see you there.
6 comments:
Find the best cannoli for me. (It should be made with a tiny dash of cinnamin-pharmacy strength.)
seems like the blonde (bottom right in case you didn't notice) oughta be holding a couple of beer mugs in an Oktoberfest celebration somewhere, yes?
I was married in St. Ann's Church by two priests...to insure a long and happy marriage...WELL it worked.
I also was given the secret recipe to the St. Ann's ZEPPOLIS (It is a guarded secret and upon the wrath of death if given out) That poor soul was found floating in the Hudson River the next day, R.I.P.
I will say you have to say da magic words in Italian...EVVIVA SAN GIUSEPPE------EH VEE VA SAN GEWSEPPI...to make da dough come out good. It is simple to make ...but ya gotta know what to put in it. (Should I take da risk ane give out da recipe to your readers? I'm old now WHAT DA HELL) Ooops...I JUST FELT A PAIN...it's ok now, just gas.
I wouldn't publish it if you sent it. Those ladies are keeping the secret and I wouldn't want to be the one to cross them. Let's just get some at the festa, okay?
I love Hoboken. I spent a lot of time in this lovely place during my short trip to the US.
FRIED OREOS!!! sounds disgusting, but oh my gosh.
BTW: St. Anne is known to help single women find a husband.
The simple prayer is Anne, Anne, find me a man. C.
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