Fraternity-Testvériség, 2002 (80. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2002-04-01 / 2. szám
Page 8 27th Annual Hungarian Festival New Brunswick, New Jersey June 1, 2002 TESTVÉRISÉG Battling a heat wave of 90+ degrees, a cheerful crowd of more than 10,000 people gathered at the Festival Mall area along Somerset Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to celebrate the 27th annual Hungarian Festival. This festival, which is held on the first Saturday of June each year, is coordinated by the Hungarian Civic Association (HCA) of New Brunswick. This year the following member churches and organizations of HCA participated in the Festival: American Hungarian Foundation and Hungarian Heritage Center; Bayard Street Presbyterian Church; Hungarian American Athletic Club; Hungarian Reformed Church, Trenton, NJ; Hungarian Reformed Federation of America; Hungarian Scouts of New Brunswick; Hungarian Scouts of the Tri-State Area; Magyar Reformed Church; Magyar Savings Bank; St. Ladislaus Church; Széchényi Hungarian School; and William Penn Association. The Festival began with the ringing of the neighborhood church bells at 11:00 A.M. The parade, led by the joyous sounds of Életfa Folk Music Band, started moving along Somerset Street, with marchers singing and waving Hungarian and American flags. On reaching their destination at the Museum Courtyard, Professor August J. Molnár, President of HCA and President of the American Hungarian Foundation, welcomed the assembled guests. The invocation was given by the Rev. Stephen L. Galambos, O.F.M., Parochial Vicar of St. Ladislaus Church. After the singing of the National AnAt the ffRFA Table: Front row 1. to r.: Ted Harsaghy, Branch Manager, and Rev. Stefan M. Torok, President/CEO. Back row 1. to r.: Teri Pflum, Fraternal Coordinator, and William B. Puskas, Jr., CFO. The HRFA Marching in the Parade. L. to r.: George Dózsa, Chairman; Ted Harsaghy, Branch Manager; Fred Erdei, Director; Cindy Torok; and Rev. Stefan M. Torok, President/CEO. them and the Magyar Himnusz, led by László Hajdu- Nemeth, greetings were presented by: the Rev. Barnabas Roczey, Chairman of the HCA Board of Directors and Pastor of the Magyar Reformed Church; the Hon. James M. Cahill, Mayor of the City of New Brunswick; and the Hon. Peter Sarkozy, Deputy Consul General (New York City) of the Republic of Hungary. The benediction was said by the Rev. Stephen Skinta, O.S.B.M., St. Joseph’s Byzantine Church. The day’s program was rich and varied. Sounds of Hungarian music and vivacious dances entertained young and old. Delicious food was available at many locations. The langos, prepared by our own László Lipoczky, was amongst the most sought after delicacies of the day. The noddle-making demonstration by the ladies of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Trenton also attracted much attention. A large assortment of Hungarian made clothing, artifacts, books, folk art, and more could be purchased from the vendors. The Hungarian Scouts. The children in the parade, prior to their performance at the Museum Courtyard. Since this year’s Festival was to honor and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the visit of Louis Kossuth, the exhibit, “Kossuth in America,” was opened at the Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation. A round table discussion was also held with Dr. Géza Jeszenszky, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, and leaders of the American Hungarian community.
