TRENTON, NJ - September 23, 2009 - Governor Jon S. Corzine and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells are proud to announce the 4th annual New Jersey Cultural Festival on Saturday, September 26, at South Riverwalk Park in Trenton from noon to 5 p.m. The Festival will showcase art, music, dance, poetry, crafts, special children's activities and playground, diverse ethnic cuisine and more, during an event for the family with free admission and parking.  

"The annual statewide Cultural Festival is a wonderful reminder of how much we have to celebrate and how important it is to embrace the diversity that is uniquely New Jersey," noted Gov. Corzine. "The blending of traditions and cultures from around the world more than defines us as one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation; it is a glowing example of what is great about New Jersey and of America itself."

"Each year the Cultural Festival provides a wonderful opportunity for families and children to experience new traditions and customs firsthand, and to celebrate the richness of the Garden State's vast multicultural community," said Secretary Wells.  "More than 145 distinct ethnic populations have contributed to New Jersey's considerable historic, cultural and artistic legacy, and we are pleased to offer this celebration of our diversity to heighten awareness and respect through the exchange and performance of cultural arts."

The Festival celebration will kick off at noon, with continuous cultural performances throughout the afternoon until 5 p.m.  Highlights include a naturalization ceremony for 74 new American citizens at 1 p.m. followed by the arrival of Peter Genovese and the Star Ledger Munchmobile at 2 p.m.

South Riverwalk Park was built in 2004 on the banks of the Delaware River in Trenton. The 6.5 acre venue will provide a beautiful backdrop for festival goers to enjoy a day-long lineup of cultural activities, ethnic foods and music and dance performances by artists from all over New Jersey. The park has recreational and picnic areas for the enjoyment of families and their children.

The Cultural Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following corporate and community sponsors: Comcast (Official Media Sponsor); Wal-Mart; the Somerset County Diversity Council; the Times of Trenton; and Capital Health System of Trenton.

In addition, the event was organized with close collaboration and invaluable support of the following Festival Partners: Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes; Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer; New Jersey Association of Cultural & Heritage Commissions; New Jersey League of Municipalities; New Jersey Business & Industry Association; NJ Chamber of Commerce Mercer County Regional Chamber of Commerce; Trenton Downtown Association; Celebrate NJ, Inc.; New Jersey Black Cultural & Heritage Initiative Foundation; American Conference on Diversity; the Governor's Ethnic Advisory Council and the New Jersey Arab American Heritage Commission.

The cross-cultural performance lineup will feature the following groups:

FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

(Note: all performances are at the south end of the park, with separate areas for dance and instrumental performances) 

     Noon        Festival opener - Nanticoke Lenni Lenape American Indian Dance
12:15 p.m.    NJ Vietnamese American Cultural Association - Vietnamese dance/cultural                     fashion show
12:15 p.m.    Deliverance on Steel - steel drum band under the direction of Sterling                     Semple
12:30 p.m.    Chitra Nanavaty & Vaani Nanavaty perform "Liquid Dance" from the movie                     Slum Dog Millionaire 
12:30 p.m.    Eastern Cultural Performing Arts Center Youth Group, Chinese instrumental                     music under the direction of Yi Yange
12:45 p.m.    Princeton Garden Statesmen Barbershop Quartet
   1:00  p.m.    Naturalization Ceremony of 74 new American citizens, administered
                          by the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services South             
                          Jersey Office - Flag Pole - just south of Lalor Street
  2:00 p.m.    Odissi Classical Dance - traditional dances from northeast India under the
                    direction of Bani Ray
  2:15 p.m.    NJ JJC drum and step corps 
  2:30 p.m.    Singers Club - Trenton area multicultural youth singing group
  2:30 p.m.    Rahway Dance Theater - multi-cultural classical dance
  2:45 p.m.    Cimarrones - Nelson Baez Afro-Puerto Rican drums/dance
  3:00 p.m.    ArgenTango - Vittoria Natale, traditional Argentine tango dance
  3:15 p.m.    Nrithyanjali - Ramya Ramnarayan, classical Asian Indian dance
  3:15 p.m.    NJ State Opera - Jason Tramm conducts soloists from the NJ State opera
  3:30 p.m.    Camden Creative Arts High School Jazz Band
  4:00 p.m.    Danca na eira, Portuguese folklore troupe under the direction of Dennis
                    Cavadas
  4:15 p.m.    Taikozoku Japanese drummers under the direction of Glenn Webber 
  4:15 p.m.    Trenton Terpsichorians - Hellenic Dancers under the direction of Regina
                    Petinos
  4:30 p.m.    Odessa Klezmer band
  4:30 p.m.    EL Hornero- traditional dances from Uruguay, under the direction of Miguel
                    Estomba

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
(Free unless otherwise indicated)

Puppet-making - provided by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission - all day

• Wooden Animal Painting - provided by the City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture - all day
• Moon Bounce - provided by the Mercer County Boys and Girls Clubs ($2 fee) - all day
• Gymnastics -  provided by Schafer Gymnastics - all day
• Rangoli - Asian Indian Sand Painting - Ritu Kandia - 1- 4 p.m.
• Pin wheels - Cali Smith - 1-4 p.m.
• Jenkinson's Aquarium craft activity - all day
• Face Painting - all day - Heather Purcell ($5 per face-painting)
• Solar observance - provided by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton
• Balloon animal sculptures provided by Josh Steinhouse - (each sculpture between $2 and $5 depending on size) - 2-5 p.m.