Much mellower than many similar events; most in attendance seemed to be locals and not out-of-towners. A softball-sized arancino ($6) was doused with marinara sauce; the rice, which had grown a tad gummy, was wedded with ground beef, mozzarella, and peas, though in my rice ball these last were as rare as pearls.
Hush puppies (five for $5) were shaken, in that paper bag, with a light dose of cinnamon and sugar. These came courtesy of an Englishtown, New Jersey outfit called My Two Sons Crab Cakes; I might have ordered the namesake items, or a Savannah-style shrimp sandwich, if they hadn't sold out earlier in the day.
St. Ann's Italian Festival
In the streets surrounding the Church of St. Ann, 704 Jefferson St., Hoboken, New Jersey
www.StAnnHoboken.com/feast
(The 2013 festival was held on July 24-28)
