By: Najla Alexander
Hi there, RLS Metro friends and family, you know it’s Najla here! The weather lately does not know how it wants to feel, with some days feeling still like summer, and others with that chill in the air; you can tell Fall is here!
Well, no matter the weather, clouds, or sun, Carteret never shies away from celebrating its community and its diversity, bringing the community a space to be there for each other and themselves.
The Carteret Music Festival & Annual Charity Carnival returned Sept. 17 to 21 to Carteret Park. All of which included a Freestyle Night on Sept. 19, Battle of the Bands on Sept. 20, along with lots of rides, games, food, more music, and other family fun throughout.
The Carnival benefited the Children’s Charity Trust, which also benefited from the 21st Annual Classic Car Show on Sept. 21 that also took place in Carteret Park.
According to officials, in 2003, at the beginning of his first term, the Honorable Mayor Daniel J. Reiman recognized that the borough’s younger residents often lacked the financial means to achieve their goals. The Trust Fund was established with the understanding that these children are usually high achievers with great potential, who, with proper financial support, can continue on a path of success. The nonprofit supports education, health, athletics, art, and culture.
“The Charity Carnival is a long-standing tradition here in Carteret,” Mayor Reiman said.
“With summer coming to an end and the children returning to school, the Carnival is a great way to mark the end of the season as a community and raise money for a great cause. The Children’s Charity Trust Fund realizes the importance of helping our neighbors in their greatest times of need.”
This year’s headliner for Ethnic Day was Jay Sean, a British-born superstar and international icon who broke barriers as the first South Asian artist to top the Billboard charts and score multiple U.S. Top 10 hits, including “Down” and “Do You Remember,” according to officials.
Jay Sean’s free concert took place at 8 p.m. with special guest Véyah. Past Ethnic Day headliners have included Shaggy, Spin Doctors, C&C Music Factory, Smash Mouth, Sister Hazel, Taylor Hicks, Gin Blossoms, and Carteret’s own New Jersey Hall of Famers, The Smithereens.
“As someone who grew up hearing Jay Sean everywhere, all over the radio, especially in the summer. It was so nostalgic to hear him live for the first time, bringing me back to simpler times!” I exclaimed.
These Freestyle Night performers also popped off on Sept. 19 at 7:45 p.m., leaving the crowd wanting more:
• Brenda K. Starr • Judy Torres
• Coro
On Sept. 20, Ethnic Day featured more delicious food, art, craft vendors, and cultural performances. At 12 p.m., the Battle of the Bands took place, offering four cash prizes, including a first-place prize of $1,500. The event began at 1 p.m.
The Charity Carnival took place from 3 p.m. to midnight, which gave us a Double Dutch performance at 4:30 p.m., ending with fireworks at 9:15 p.m., leaving us all in wonder!
“Carteret is one of the most culturally diverse towns in New Jersey,” the Mayor continued.
“Ethnic Day is an opportunity for us to highlight what makes Carteret unique as a community. Carteret is the melting pot of Central Jersey. We have so many different cultures coming together to form a strong communal bond and contribute to making Carteret a great place to live. Our annual Ethnic Day is a reflection of that diversity, as is our fantastic music lineup.”
With all four days of the festival free to attend, the crowd was bigger and brought all the energy for a celebration of music and culture; a sight to see!
“Fireworks lighting up the sky while standing next to someone special… such an amazing feeling,” a couple in awe explained.
Carteret is a community that knows how to bring people together, whether it's with the power of music or the magic of the holidays. You can look forward to being a part of something where you can continue to create memories among people you see every day. I look forward to what Carteret has in store for us for the upcoming holiday season!