The Washington Borough Business Improvement District’s Festival in the Borough will kick off with pre-party fun with two great musical acts leading the way on Friday Sept. 17.

The Festival in the Borough, the largest street and music event in Northwest Jersey, is slated for Saturday Sept. 18 but the action starts the night before with a kickoff sponsored by David Santini, CPA.

The Emulators (pictured above), a high energy 80s cover band featuring Jessica Szczepanik, will be in the Downtown Pocket Park from 6-8 p.m., and Warped SPEED, a modern rock electric duo playing sing-along favorites and covering tunes from the 90s to present, from alternative, ska, pop punk, modern rock and emo, will be at William’s Irish Tavern starting at 9. These are both free to attend, as is the Festival in the Borough.

The Emulators have appeared at the Festival in the Borough and at special events in town previously, to much excitement. Warped SPEED (below), well known on the Lehigh Valley music scene, brings together veteran performers John Pabst (Last Night Out, The PS Xperiment) and Christopher Stephen (Last Night Out, The Bandcampers). 

William’s will also host a post-festival party on Saturday night with Kelly & Pete and Scotty’s Stadium Club will keep things going with DJ Mitch Hess.  

Presented by the Washington Business Improvement District, the 16th annual Festival in the Borough’s line-up includes an array of music styles, from rock to jazz, soul and blues, to acoustic.

During the day and into the night on Saturday there will be 18 musical acts including national headliner, The Smithereens. The Festival in the Borough goes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A family-friendly free event, it also features a variety of vendors, crafters, kids activities, food, beer garden, and three stages.  

The 3 stages are: Main Stage, Route 57 parking lot in the center of Downtown, Scotty’s Stage on Belvidere Avenue, and Broad Street Stage by Gaia’s Gifts.  There is some seating available; attendees may want to bring lawn chairs. No coolers.

The Broad Street stage starts things off at 10 a.m. with a Qigong demonstration (and audience participation) with Stan Cohen followed by the Fantasia Belly Dancers at 11. 

For more about the festival, LIKE the Festival in the Borough Facebook Page, or visit www.washingtonbid.org.