I went to this and think they did a good job overall. There was a good balance of activities, food vendors, craft vendors, local businesses, and space to move around. My one complaint was that the music was insanely loud - like rib cage rattling loud. I would estimate it at about 10 decibels above jackhammer volume once you got within 20 feet of either of the stages, so easily 140-150 decibels (anything above 85 is considered dangerous). I don't think that's even legal but the cops parked 10 feet away didn't seem to care. The other perplexing thing was the amount of trash on the ground despite 2 garbage cans on every block. I stopped to pick up a plastic liter bottle of soda after 2 different people kicked it and then kept walking. Maybe next year, a little less intense on the volume and perhaps a roaming cleanup crew?

Everything Jersey City Festival 2012 brings "life" to Heights neighborhood with food, music

By: Jersey Journal

Seeing the Everything Jersey City Festival makes Regina Rodriquez tear up a bit.

Rodriquez, who lives in the Heights said she always hears about the bad things in her neighborhood, but seeing the community come together in a positive manner touches her.

"We always hear of the drugs and the fights," she said, holding the hand of her 3-year old son who she hopes can see the good in the neighborhood to avoid the violence. "But it's events like this, like the festival, that shows what a lovely place we are. This gives life to the Heights."

She said the festival is a chance for the area to showcase what is usually shadowed by the "poor choices of a few."

"The stores get to show what they have to offer, the kids get to show off what they learned in their karate classes," she said. "And on a day like today, this area cannot look any better."

The annual festival brought more than 40,000 visitors to the Heights, up more than 5,000 from last year's fair, organizers estimated. With the visitors coming from throughout Hudson County, and even more vendors traveling from throughout the state, the fair provided an opportunity to put the Heights on the map for the shopping and dining options it provides, said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy.

"It's a great day for the Everything Jersey City Festival," he said. "This is about promoting our city, especially the Heights and our shopping district."

Business owner Loretta Jameson said the festival doubles her store's revenue for a usual Saturday because people who attend the festival are willing to have fun and explore. The stores, paired with the activities, like a petting zoo and a rock climbing wall, add to the total experience, she said.

"People who come to this are willing to take a look inside and open their wallets," she said. "They come, get something to eat, maybe get a new dress, and it's a good day for them, but more so, it's a great day for the vendors who get to treat them."

Raffle to win a FREE IPAD at the Everything JC Festival!

Quote:
Nope, sorry Mikey

From the exhibitor application:
Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at the festival.

Looks like this is a "family-friendly" event, but the weather looks like it's going to be BEAUTIFUL

Booze? Beer garden/wine garden/vodka garden?

5th Annual Everything Jersey City Festival Set for Saturday
By Matt Hunger ? May 14th, 2012, Jersey City Independent

Local cultural celebration Everything Jersey City Festival is set to hit the streets for its fifth straight year when dance, music, and local crafts and food vendors takeover the Central Ave shopping district (rain or shine) this Saturday, May 19th, from 11am to 6pm.

The event, which is hosted by the Central Avenue Special Improvement District,
says residents can look to dance performance to take center stage this year, with performances by the Haesun Jung Korean Traditional Dance Academy, Emerald Fire Dance, The Hope Center for the Performing Arts, 407 Moves from County Prep High School.

There will also be live theater performed by the Jersey City Children?s Theater, belly dancing, a mariachi band and two fashion shows.

?The Festival plants good, positive memories of their hometown in our children and helps strengthen the bonds of community pride and harmony,? Festival Committee Chairman Michael Yun said in a statement.

A new addition this year will be Field Station: Dinosaurs, which consists of two life-sized animatronic dinosaurs (some of the largest ever created).

Since the festival?s inception in 2007, 80 new businesses have come to the area, and Everything Jersey City will offer one-day sales with discounts ranging from 10-50%-off on select merchandise, sidewalk sales and special promotions.

Ward D Councilman Bill Gaughan, who for its five years has worked as the Festival Finance Committee Co-Chair, added, ?I look forward to another tremendously successful Everything Jersey City Festival. Being part of the Central Avenue Special Improvement District for the past 20 years has given me a lot of great memories and I must give a heartfelt thank you to all who have helped develop what we call ?Heights Pride?.?

With more than forty different performances taking place between the Festival?s four stages, attendees can expect music ranging from headlining act (and Jersey City-native) Chico Mann?s Afrobeat to the Latin-influenced Rumba Con Son and Swing Sabroso. Celtic band McLean Avenue will play their first Festival, as will Jersey rockers Outside the Box and Jersey City?s own The
Audiobodies. Previous festival goers may recognized teenage pop-punk star Leah Le Grace, funksters Woodfish, and pop-punkers Go Falcon!. Jersey City-based singer-songwriter Christine Santelli, Jersey City a-cappella group Choice, and The Manhattan Dolls, will be on hand as well.

Performer Chico Mann said, ?I?m very excited to be playing in Jersey City. It?s not often that the opportunity arises so I can?t wait to share this music on our side of the river!?

?This is the third year that the Jersey City Parks Coalition will be participating in Everything Jersey City Festival,? said Heights resident and 2012 Pride and Harmony Award Honoree Laura Skolar. ?As a parks and open space advocacy organization the festival is a great opportunity for us to meet and connect with our neighbors from across the City.?

For more information, performer schedules and a full list of the Everything Jersey City Festival sponsors, supporters and performers visit JCHeights.com.

With an estimated 30,000 visitors in attendance, the last Everything Jersey City Festival was again a huge success. See the coverage in the Jersey Journal (5/21/2011): Everyone in Hudson County comes out to Everything Jersey City Festival.
[Everything Jersey City