36th Annual International Festival Lights Up Labor Day

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – Labor Day Weekend brought joy, flavor, and unity to Delano-Hitch Recreation Park as hundreds of residents—and visitors from across the region—gathered for the 36th Annual International Festival. From Friday to Sunday, the vibrant celebration offered food, fun, and family-friendly entertainment as summer came to a close.

Children, teens, and even parents lined up for carnival rides brought in by Shamrock Shows and Amusements Company from Milton, NY. Festivalgoers played carnival games and laughed and screamed their way through classics like the Himalaya, Sizzler, Swings, and the dizzying Demon Loop. The House of Mirrors and Bumper Cars brought back nostalgia, while one of the unexpected highlights was the electric bull—where daring riders tried to hold on, to the crowd’s delight.

“A lot of people should come here! The Demon Loop is probably the [best] rollercoaster here because it swings back and forth and it makes your stomach drop. And then we go upside down and everybody gets scared, but it’s also fun at the same time,” said 13-year-old Nathan Cobbs who doesn’t come just for the rollercoasters. “I like getting some fried Oreos [too]!”

Of course, no fair would be complete without American classics. Stands throughout the park sold fried Oreos, cotton candy, popcorn, funnel cake, candy apples, corn dogs, and fresh-squeezed lemonade—ensuring that even the pickiest eater left with a full belly.

The festival delivered on its international food promise with popular bites of crispy, golden chicharrónes, freshly fried and seasoned just right and delicious Mexican street corn also known as elote. Local food trucks offered something for everyone. Gio’s Food Truck served up hot dogs, juicy hamburgers, sausage and peppers, and an array of appetizers with icy cold drinks to wash it all down. Meanwhile, Cartwright Creamery delighted kids and adults alike with soft serve ice cream, creamy milkshakes, a myriad of flavors of slushes, and loaded sundaes.

The Newburgh Auxiliary Police were on hand all weekend. Not only did they keep things safe, but they interacted with the community in a warm, friendly way.

“It feels good to see that there’s something in Newburgh to look forward to and have something for the children to do [and] keep them off the street. They are getting ready to go back to school. [This is] their last hurrah,” said Auxiliary Officer Inspector George Barden.

Among the out-of-town guests was Jairo Palacios, who traveled with his family from Baltimore, Maryland. They decided to visit the festival after attending a concert by a Mexican artist at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and were pleasantly surprised at the environment.

“It’s very peaceful. And I want to say it’s very family-welcome. I’m from Baltimore. You don’t see that often over there. It’s always people fighting… Everybody’s been respectful,” Palacios said.

Unfortunately, not everyone felt safe enough to attend. Several families chose to stay home due to the constant fear of ICE.

“A lot of families don’t get to leave the City of Newburgh… This would be like the little mini vacation outlet before the kids go back to school before the end of summer. So now, they didn’t even get a chance to have it,” said Maritza Wilson, Event Coordinator and Bilingual Clerk for the City of Newburgh.

The festival ended with a spectacular fireworks show that lit up the Newburgh sky—drawing amazement from the crowd. Many attendees agreed: the fireworks were “better than the Fourth of July.”

Ms. Jones