A Hoboken Institution, the 110th Annual St. Ann’s Festival Postponed Indefinitely

It’s the middle of July, and we should all be elbow-deep in a bag of piping hot zeppole right now. Sadly, due to COVID concerns, the 110th Annual St. Ann’s Festival has been postponed indefinitely.

Organizers are holding out hope that the festival can be carried out in some capacity, but the challenges are significant. It remains to be seen how the fabulous food, wonderful rides, top-notch live music, legendary beer tent, and phenomenal family events that have made this event a Hoboken institution could be replicated in light of the contemporary health crisis.

The event is so renowned, Frank Sinatra himself brought Ronald Reagan to the Hoboken St. Ann’s Feast in 1984, as he was running for re-election.

Hitting the beer tents (Hoboken Historical Museum photo)

“I heard about your zeppoles,” said Reagan, “and so, here I am in Hoboken.”

The line for zeppoles is nearly as famous as the festival itself. But it’s always well worth the wait—as is the line at the sausage stand, pizza stand, seafood stand and so, so much more.

Yet while the festival is on hold, the Feast of St. Ann will still be commemorated by the faithful, with Novena Masses running July 17 through July 25. Masses will be held in the Church at 704 Jefferson Street, and shown live via St. Ann’s YouTube Channel. Details for the Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Ann on Sunday, July 26 will be announced soon.

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