Queens Gala 2016 Honors Harrisonians & Diversity

A little over 400 people attended the Harrison Fest 2016 Queens United Nations Gala dinner last Friday night at the Holy Cross Banquet Hall. Twenty five Queens were scheduled to attend but two were unable to attend.  If everything works out, all Twenty five Queens will be at the Harrison Fest 2016 International Parade on Saturday, September 17, 2016 kicking off at 12 Noon.

The Queens Gala Dinner also honored Veteran of the Year, Edwin G. Marshman; Grand Marshall of Harrison Fest 2016, Albert J. Cifelli; Jr. Grand Marshall, singer Adiel Torres; Business Woman of the Year, Laurie Ann Valente of Harrison Cab Company; Businessman of the Year, Antonio Valente Silva of Silva Construction & Demolition; Man of the Year, Michael Fernandez of the Spanish Pavillion; Padrino Internacional, Jaime Pardo; Senior of the Year, Joan Finnerty; Woman of the Year, Fernanda Batel and the Family of the Year, The Alday Family.

The Master of Ceremony was Marleny Cruz and the Queens Coordinator & Coach was Marggiori Patrizia Salas, Gala Decorator was Juana Bravo Carpio of Edevents Party NJ, Cake and Pastry Designer, Binicio Salas.  Performing were Gennesie Zuniga and Melvin Araujo, Marinera Performers and Dancers and Adiel Torres (Jr. Grand Marshall) a Musician and Singer.

The Queens were as follows: Gisselle D'Ambrogio (Argentina), Chloe Magliotti (Brazil), Khaisee Marquez (Chile), Kelly Zheng (China), Pamela Rodriguez* (Colombia), Sade Jimenez (Cuba), Luz Montan (Dominican Republic), Denisse Calderon (Ecuador), Savannah Monterrosa (El Salvador) Layla Barakat (Egypt), Luisa Grunauer (Germany), Samantha Ortiz (Guatemala), Mayela Margarita Lopez Sierra (Honduras), Kiran Kainth (India), Alexi Shelley (Ireland), Silvana Tejada Federici* (Italy), Katie Esteves (Japan), Rosa Orzuna (Mexico), Hiba Adina (Morocco), Izayana Mendoza (Nicaragua), Allison Marquez (Peru), Sylwia Kolodziej (Poland), Diane Costa (Portugal), Gabriella Lopez (Puerto Rico), and Karla Vasquez (Spain).

Some pictures of the Gala Dinner are available on our Gala Queens 2016 page click here.

* Indicates did not attend Gala Dinner.

Gallery of Harrison Fest 2016 Street Arches

A big Thank You to the sponsors of the Harrison Fest 2016 Street Arches.  Chinatown, Spanish Pavillion, Silva Construction & Demolition, Harrison Cab Company, Kearny Bank, Hockmeyer, and Lusitania Savings Bank. Here is a Gallery of Photos of the Arches.

Street Arches Setting the Mood

Seven sponsors have made Harrison Avenue more festive and raising awareness along with the Harrison Fest 2016 Street Banner that something special is about to happen on the weekend of Friday September 16, Saturday September 17, and Sunday the 18th.  Mark your calendar and please support our sponsors, Chinatown Restaurant (their arch is located in front of their restaurant), Spanish Pavillion, Silva Construction & Demolition, Harrison Cab Company,  Kearny Bank, Hockmeyer, and Lusitania Savings Bank.

The Harrison Fest Committee wants to thank these organizations for their support in making the Street Arches a reality.

The Observer Covers Harrison Fest 2016

The Observer ran a very nice and detailed article in the August 17, 2016 Edition about this year's Harrison Fest.  Correspondent Ron Leir covered all the bases including the Friday September 9 United Nations Pageant Gala, to the Solemn Mass at Holy Cross Church on Friday, September 16, 2016 and the Parade on Saturday, September 17, 2016.  A big Thank You to the Observer for letting the public know about the various activities making part of Harrison Fest 2016.

Thank You OutFront Media

A year ago OutFront media converted its billboard overlooking Route 280 in Harrison from a traditional (static) billboard to an electronic billboard.  The billboard went live shortly thereafter and coincided with last year's Harrison Fest.  Outfront Media was nice enough to produce and display advertisements for last year's Harrison Fest and OutFront Media has once again designed and offered to display information about our events to get the word out about our United Nations Gala Pageant, our Parade, and our Street Fair events.  A big Thank You for OutFront Media for your support.

Save The Weekend: Harrison Fest 2016

On Friday September 16, 2016 through Sunday, September 18, 2016, the Town of Harrison will be celebrating Harrison Fest and be joined by the Harrison Fest Queens who will hold their Gala Dinner on Friday, September 9, 2016 in the Holy Cross Church Banquet Hall.

If last years successful Harrison Fest, doesn't convince you to come to enjoy the diverse ethnic groups gathered together in a festive weekend with a parade, street festival with vendors, games, DJ and live act and performing artists then we don't know what to say. Last year the Harrison Fest was a spectacular success. This year, it is anticipated that the crowds will be much larger since word has gotten out that it’s the place to have fun and be seen.

On Saturday, September 17 at 12 noon there will be a parade formed by many different ethnic groups, political leaders and community groups including marching bands and floats. There will be a stage area where following the parade multicultural performing artists and folkloric groups will perform on Saturday, September 17 from 2pm to 10 pm and on Sunday, September 18 from 1pm to 5pm.

Harrison Avenue from Davis Avenue to 2nd Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and turned into a pedestrian mall.  On Saturday, September 17, Harrison Avenue will be closed temporarily at Joseph Supor Blvd or approximately 1 hour to allow the Harrison Fest Parade to come off Joseph Supor Boulevard onto Harrison in route to Harrison Town and 2nd Street.  Harrison Avenue will remain closed at Davis Avenue during the festival. For complete details click on the Parade Menu item at the top of the page.

Check back for additional details in the mean time explore our site which contains photos and videos of past Harrison Fests.

Joy At Children Holiday Party

Once again the Spirit of the Season engulfed the basement of the Holy Cross Annex lifting the spirits of families and bringing joy to children.  Over 1300 adults and children were feed and provided with entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus who gave each an age appropriate gift.  The Harrison Fire Department sponsored a professional photographer and a picture with Santa for each child and some of the adults (children at heart).  The new Volunteers may have thought we are never going to have enough food or gifts but the veteran Volunteers knew that Councilman Anselmo never turns anyone away and it will all work out in the end.

Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers whose efforts brought Joy to the faces of Children and their families.

Volunteers Prepare for Holiday Dinner & Santa Claus

Harrison Fest Committee Volunteers have been working for weeks to prepare to tomorrow's (Sunday, December 20th) Holiday Dinner Celebration for families and children.  Councilman Anselmo Millan, President of Harrison Fest, with the help of Mayor James Fife and a lot of volunteers are set to bring cheer and joy to children and their parents.  The goal of the Holiday Dinner is to bring Joy to children and their parents during this very special time of year. Anxious parents bringing their children to meet Santa Claus, some with very limited resources, feel uncomfortable at first.  As food is served and carols are sung, the parents realize that they are among an extended family.  When Santa Claus arrives and each child gets an age appropriate gift and a free picture with Santa, Joy arrives in the faces of the children. 

There are still opportunities to contribute to the dinner.  If you are a local or far away restaurant and want to contribute food to the dinner, please call us at (973) 268-2706

A complete list of those who contributed to the Annual Harrison Fest Holiday Party will be published in the coming days.

Children's Holiday Funraiser Brunch A Success

Harrison Fest's Fundraiser Brunch was a success as supporters local and from far away made time to have brunch at the Spanish Pavillion in Harrison.  As usual Michael Fernandez from the Spanish Pavillion put out a beautiful buffet style spread and brewed some great coffee.  As Michael pointed out "I don't do breakfast."  But after a small pause he states, "except for the children."  He might make breakfast for his children but the children he's referring to is the children in attendance at the Harrison Fest Holiday party for Families coming up in December. The Brunch Fund Raiser raises funds for that special event.

Mayor James Fife joined Councilman Anselmo Millan in the event.  Camera were out for a photograph with the Mayor Fife and Councilman Millan.  Some attendees came early because they had to go to other sports and family events to be replaced by others who decided to come later.  There was plenty to select from and good company throughout.

Take a look at Facebook to catch who was in attendance.  Mayor James Fife and Councilman Anselmo Millan thank all those who attended and donated to this wonderful cause and event.