NCC 30th Annual Parade And Festival Keeps The Spirit Alive

Parade 2013-Environmental Services, Winning FloatIt was a day highlighted by marching bands, colorful floats, music, food, children’s activities and plenty of camaraderie as more than 200 people turned out for New Community’s 30th Annual Parade and Family Festival on a delightful Saturday afternoon. “It was beautiful. I am having a good time,” commented Malita Miller, a resident of NCC Manor Family, who was pushing her two-year-old daughter in a stroller through the spirited street festival following the parade. NCC Security and the Weequahic High School Marching Band of Newark led the parade, with the band delighting the crowd along South Orange Avenue in Newark with its upbeat music and smooth dance steps. Many residents of the New Community Extended Care Center, NCC’s 180-bed nursing home, were brought outside in wheelchairs to watch the bands, NCC department floats, local Girl Scouts and other participants as they came marching by. “All the floats were beautiful, but that ferris wheel was something,” said Margie White, a senior from NCC Associates, who was among the judges declaring the department’s float, which boasted a ferris wheel, the winner. The street festival that followed on Hayes and Bedford Streets featured music by DJ Qua, dancing, food like chicken, fish and funnel cakes, along with hot dogs, pop corn and cotton candy for the kids. Children were kept busy all day by attractions like a rock climbing wall, pony rides, video game truck and Bouncy rides. “I’m having fun,” said 12-year-old Manuel Abreu, a resident of NCC Gardens Family. The NCC Department of Health and Senior Service offered free blood pressure screenings, while vendors sold items like jewelry, pocketbooks, dessert, toys, CD’s and even honey. The community was also armed with useful information like how to prevent lead poisoning in children and apply for free cell phone service if one is unable to afford it. “Everything is just very nice. I enjoyed it all,” said Carleen Youmans, a resident of NCC Hudson Senior in Jersey City, as she sat looking around the festival grounds.

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