OLG FUNFEST 2017 — June 3rd & 4th at Church Square Park

The name says it all, as fun for all ages is the focus of the 12th Annual OLG FunFest, which will take place this weekend—June 3 & 4—in and around Hoboken’s Church Square Park.

“OLG’s Funfest is one of Hoboken’s best summer events — with activities for the whole family,” said Chris Gizzo, Funfest chair. “Every year, over 100 parishioners look forward to organizing the event and bringing the community together.”

AN EVENING OF FUN
The excitement will begin with NiteFest on Saturday, June 3, from 6 to 10 p.m.

What better way to spend a summer evening, than at The Thirsty Monk? The parking lot next to Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 400 Willow Ave., will be transformed into an outdoor biergarten, where visitors will enjoy craft beers, sangria, music by DJ Tim Nelson, a variety of food and games of chance.

And for the first time this year, there will be a Cornhole Tournament, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Teams can register in advance by sending an email to olgcornhole@gmail.com. There is a $20 entry fee per team, and a cash prize for the winner.

DAYTIME FESTIVAL
The OLG FunFest will continue Sunday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Church Square Park, between Fourth and Fifth streets on Willow Avenue.

Children will enjoy pony rides, face-painting, and bouncy houses. Adults will want to check out the festival’s various vendors (selling art, jewelry and more), the Tricky Tray, used book sale and a 50/50 raffle.  Of course, refreshments, games of chance and music by DJ Nelson will keep going in The Thirsty Monk Biergarten next to the church.

In addition, tours of the 1876 German Gothic Cathedral-style Our Lady of Grace Church will be given at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.Listed on the U.S. and N.J. Register of Historic Places, the church features paintings and vessels gifted by European royalty.

Following each tour, a concert will be presented by Our Lady of Grace Interim Music Director Kathleen McNally, who will be playing on the historic and majestic 1909 Wirsching Grand Organ.

She will be accompanied by Parochial Vicar, the Rev. Bruce Hager. A classically trained opera singer, Father Hager has performed with the Wolftrap Summer Opera. He has also performed with the Washington Opera Chorus at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and with the Luzern City Opera in Switzerland.

During the FunFest concert, Father Hager will sing various pieces, including: “A Beautiful City,” from “Godspell”; “Se,” the theme song from “Cinema Paradiso,” and “The Mystery of Your Gift,” a work by Brian Byrne and Josh Groban.

The Funfest is held rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the bouncy houses, face-painting and children’s activities will be held in the Our Lady of Grace School, located next to the church.

Admission to both the NiteFest and FunFest are free. For more information, see the Our Lady of Grace FunFest website at: http://www.olgfunfest.com or visit them on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofgracefunfest.