HOBOKEN ITALIAN FESTIVAL 2017: Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri, September 7-10

The Hoboken Italian Festival gets underway on the Waterfront this Thursday, September 7, featuring a feast for the senses—rides, games, live music and of course, FOOD.

All of this is firmly centered around the traditional procession of the Madonna Dei Martiri on Saturday, September 9th. Madonna Dei Martiri (Madonna of the Martyrs) is the patron saint of sailors, stemming from the occasion in the 12th Century when Italian sailors returned from the Crusades to the town of Molfetta to find an icon of the Madonna in the harbor.

Throughout the years, many of Hoboken’s Italian immigrants have maintained a strong connection to Molfetta, and the traditional Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri was first celebrated here in 1927.

These days, the 800-lb statue is carried from St. Francis Church through the streets of Hoboken down to the Waterfront—boards a ferry for a trip along the Hudson, then back through the Festival.

Madonna Dei Martiri on the Ferry

Typically in Sinatra Park, this year’s Festival will take place slightly south on Sinatra Drive, between Pier A and Pier C, and feature TWO stages for LIVE ENTERTAINMENT…

THURSDAY 9/7
Main Stage
4 pm to 7 pm: Changing Lanes
7 pm to 10 pm: Rock Kandy: The 80’s Experience
Second Stage
Big Daddy Entertainment DJs 4 to 10 pm

FRIDAY 9/8
Main Stage
Big Daddy Entertainment presents:
Freestyle Friday! Featuring Cynthia, Lisette Menendez, Aly Us, Fascination, Boriqua Posse,
and Special Guests Tony, Angel and Aby – Former Members of TKA
Second Stage
Big Daddy Entertainment DJs 4 to 11 pm

SATURDAY 9/9 – Feast Day
Main Stage – Celebrating the Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri
12 pm to 1 pm – Johnny Maggio
1 pm to 3 pm – Cacao Blues
3 pm to 5 pm – Tenor Elio Scaccio
5:30 pm to 8 pm – R3 Brothers
8:30 pm to 11 pm – Mirage Music
Second Stage
DJ Johnny Mag 1 to 4 pm,
Big Daddy Entertainment DJs 4 to 11 pm
9:00 pm -Fireworks Extravaganza on Pier A!

SUNDAY 9/10
Main Stage
12 pm to 1 pm – Johnny Maggio
2 pm to 4 pm – Blame it On The Girl
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm – Steven Maglio (www.stevenmaglio.com)
6:30 pm – The Annual Grape Stomp Contest, Sponsored by Shop Rite of Hoboken. Featuring Hoboken’s Finest vs Hoboken’s Bravest!
7 pm to 10 pm – MGM
10 pm – Winner of the Super 50/50 Will Be Announced! Tickets can be purchased at the festival, or email us at info@hobokenitalianfestival.com
Second Stage
Big Daddy Entertainment DJs 2 to 10 pm

Hoboken Italian Festival — Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri