HOBOKEN ITALIAN FESTIVAL: Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri — Sep. 8-11 @ Sinatra Park

Zeppole

The Hoboken Italian Festival gets underway on in Sinatra Park on the Waterfront Thursday night, 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 September 10. 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.

CLICK HERE for the procession route…

Here’s the entertainment schedule (subject to change):

THURSDAY 9/8
5:00-6:30 pm – Johnny Maggio
7:00-10:00 – R3 Brothers
10:00-11:00 – Live DJ

FRIDAY 9/9
Big Daddy Entertainment presents:
7:00 – 11:00 pm – “FREESTYLE FRIDAY & FRIENDS” featuring Live Performances by George Lamond, Cynthia, Lime, and More!

SATURDAY 9/10
Noon to 1:45pm – Johnny Maggio
2:15 – 4:00pm –   The Giglio Band
4:30 – 5:45 pm –  Steven Maglio
5:45 to 6:15 pm. “Tarantella Dances of Italy by Natalie Marrone and The Dance Cure.”
6 :15 – 8:00 pm – Two Gents and a Lady starring Elio Scaccio, Vincent Ricciardi and Julie Anna Gulenko.
8:30-9:15 pm – Mirage Music
9:15-9:45 pm – FIREWORKS!

9:45 pm – 10:45 pm – Mirage Music

SUNDAY 9/11
Noon – 1:15 pm – Johnny Maggio
1:30 -2:15 pm – The Garden State 20 pc. Jazz Orchestra
2:30- 3:15 pm – The Garden State 20 pc. Jazz Orchestra
3:45-4:25 pm – Tre Bella
4:40-5:25 pm – Tre Bella
5:45 – 7:00 pm – ROSA TATUATA Sicilian Band
7:15-7:45 pm – Hoboken Finest VS Hoboken Bravest Grape Stomp
8:00 – 10:00 pm – MGM Band

Hoboken Italian Festival — Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri