This year’s Festival in the Borough Weekend kicks off with a pre-party on Friday Sept. 16 with the hugely popular southern rock band, Southbound.

Southbound, a regular at the Festival in the Borough, will be performing in the Downtown Veteran’s Park from 6-8 p.m. Attendees are invited after the show to visit Buttzville Brewing Company, William’s Irish Tavern, Scotty’s Stadium Club or Philbert’s Tavern. These are all free to attend, as is the full schedule of Festival in the Borough activities on Saturday Sept. 17.

The Friday pre-party is sponsored exclusively by David Santini, CPA.

The Festival in the Borough is the largest street and music event in Northwest Jersey and Southbound has been an important of the event almost year since the festival started in 2004.

Presented by the Washington Business Improvement District, the 18th annual Festival in the Borough’s line-up includes an array of music styles, from rock to jazz, soul and blues, to acoustic.

During the day and into the night on Saturday there will be nearly 20 musical acts including national headliner, Jimmy Vivino & the Black Italians. The Festival in the Borough goes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A family-friendly free event, it also features a variety of vendors, crafters, kids activities, food, beer garden, and three stages.  

The 3 stages are: Main Stage, Route 57 parking lot in the center of Downtown, Scotty’s Stage on Belvidere Avenue, and Broad Street Stage by Gaia’s Gifts.  There is some seating available; attendees may want to bring lawn chairs. No coolers.

For more about the festival, LIKE the Festival in the Borough Facebook Page, or visit www.washingtonbid.org. 

Photo by Cathy Miller