From rollercoasters, to freshly squeezed lemonade, hot food and bumper cars and some brief weekend rain showers mixed in, City of Newburgh residents came out to enjoy the 33rd Annual International Festival at Delano-Hitch Park during Labor Day Weekend.

The first night of the International Festival kicked off on Friday afternoon with a light crowd, but as the night progressed, more and more families started to arrive, lines began to form at the rides and food stands and people were seen smiling and enjoying the night. Smells of popcorn, funnel cake and other fried foods were enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Popular rides that people were waiting to get on include the Zipper, Sizzler and Remix, along with a smaller roller coaster, spinning dragons and swings and jet ski rides for the younger families to enjoy. Other games where patrons could win a stuffed toy or other prizes were also available during the evening.

The International Festival was able to happen through the collaboration of the City of Newburgh Recreation Department and Department of Public Works, along with the assistance of community organizer Regina Angelo. According to Maritza Wilson of the recreation department, the name for the festival originated from many years ago when the city brought out a variety of different vendors and foods from all of the respective cultures here in the community. Thus the name was created, and the festival has continued to bring residents together.

With the festival being held during the last weekend before the new school year was set to begin, Wilson was happy to see the families coming back and enjoying the fun together. “I think it’s perfect. And ideally, since it’s pretty much a celebration of the end of summer, and this way before the kids go back to school, I think it was just perfect timing to have this,” Wilson said.

Seeing families enjoying the festival, especially now coming back from COVID, made Wilson very happy to have this event made possible. “We’ve seen families already coming here, like three generations together. And that’s why we do this. You know, just seeing the families come back out after COVID. And so I feel like, it just really touches my heart,” Wilson said.

“Everything that we do is for the community and for the family. So when the families come out as a whole, that’s rewarding itself.”

Over the course of the weekend Recreation Director Matthew Nordt stopped by the event to check in on his team and to see how the festival was running. Nordt also concurred with Wilson’s comments about the collaboration between the varying city departments that made this event possible for the residents. “It’s fantastic. It’s great to collaborate with other departments and to bring things to the people of Newburgh,” Nordt said.

Wilson also recognized George Garrison, Superintendent of DPW for his department’s assistance in making this event possible. This will be Garrison’s 28th year working and assisting to make this festival possible. “Feels good. A lot of people coming out the last couple nights and tonight [Sept 4] we’ll have the fireworks,” Garrison said.

On Sunday, Sept. 4, the International Festival Weekend held a fireworks display at the park with bursts of different colors and loud bangs filled the air. The festival lasted into Labor Day, and school was set to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The city looks forward to the festival again next year.