By: Najla Alexander
Hi RLS Metro Media Family! Your girl Najla here! It’s almost summertime, and that means festivals, concerts, trips to the beach, and so much more! Where you get to enjoy the sun while eating the tastiest food and enjoying the rides/games with family and friends.
The St. Joseph Parish Festival did just that, from food to rides and raffles, there was fun for the whole family! 
It took place from June 12th to 15th, spanning the entire weekend, with free admission for all ages. On Thursday, June 12th, was wristband night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., during which you could purchase a wristband for unlimited rides on that day only. Other dates included Friday, June 13, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., Saturday, June 14, from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m., and the last day, Sunday, June 15, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
"You can't stop kids from coming out and riding these rides, no matter the weather!," a parent exclaimed.
Such an event held in reverence to St. Joseph was a celebration like no other. Despite the day starting cold and rainy, the show must go on, and the fun did indeed begin. There was a Ferris wheel, fried Oreos, fresh lemonade, and kids running around, just enjoying being kids, with so much more for everyone to enjoy! 
I enjoyed seeing how this event wasn't just a way to get the community out, but also to raise money for the school itself through Daily 50/50s, and a Super 50/50, along with a bake sale! 
"It's so nice to see the community always show up even not on its sunniest days. Shows exactly what our community stands for," a patron said to me.
What a way to kick off the summer than none other than a festival celebration that had everything you could think of. At least for me, it was a nice way to get out of the house and join your community.
Carteret knows how to party in the summer, and I look forward to many more different cultural celebrations that always make me feel part of the Middlesex County community.
Until next time, RLS Metro Media family, we're about to enter summer mode!