The Festival in the Borough has featured many national acts over the years, and this year’s event, slated for Sept. 19, is no different as The Smithereens will be headlining Northwest New Jersey’s largest music and street festival.

An added treat, though, is that the Festival in the Borough, presented by the Washington Business Improvement District, is also going international! Australia’s Kara Grainger and her band will also be taking the stage in Downtown Washington.

The annual Festival in the Borough, celebrating its “Sweet Sixteen” in 2020, is a family-friendly free event with vendors, crafters, kids activities, food and three stages of music, annually attracts thousands of visitors.  This year’s event is being sponsored in part by Hunterdon Healthcare System, Visions Federal Credit Union, Elizabethtown Gas, and is also being made possible by funds from the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Division of Land Preservation, a partner of the New Jersey State Council of the Arts.   

Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens (pictured above) have been creating electrifying, original rock’n’roll for 39 years. Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains. Marshall Crenshaw, a renowned performer in his own right, admirably fills the void with the loss of DiNizio.

Last year the band was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. 

Early on The Smithereens paid its dues in clubs all over the NYC tri-state area from Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village to the Court Tavern and Stone Pony in NJ. As The Smithereens’ fame escalated, they were in heavy rotation on MTV and appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, and Saturday Night Live. They’ve since performed on stages coast to coast from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to the Meadowlands Arena in NJ to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, and internationally from Europe to Australia. Tour mates have included Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Pretenders, Lou Reed, and Ramones, among others.

The Smithereens’ take no prisoners sound, reflecting their Garden State roots, has resonated with fans worldwide over the course of 17 albums and 2500+ live shows. Their most recent release, COVERS, features 22 of the band’s favorite songs first recorded by other artists. They’ve also inspired generations of musicians, including Kurt Cobain, who counted The Smithereens as a major influence on Nirvana. They continue to entertain and rock fans all over the U.S. and the world! 

Aussie soul slinger Kara Grainger, meanwhile, is known for her groove-rooted sound & mean slide guitar. Her sultry vocals melt hearts & minds. Combining tasteful blues and slide guitar, soulful vocals and a heartfelt approach to songwriting, Grainger’s unique sound is uplifting and inspiring.

Her latest CD project, “Living With Your Ghost” was produced by New Orleans based Anders Osborne. The album is a composite of Grainger’s style, featuring a mix of blues, folk, some personal introspective songs, funk, and some good ole Rock ‘n Roll! 

Early in her career, Grainger her brother Mitch formed the band “Papa Lips” which was heavily influenced by New Orleans blues and soul. Eventually, Grainger started the Kara Grainger Band, which has toured throughout Australia and the United States, and at festivals all over world.

The Katie Henry Band, based out of Sussex County, is definitely on the move, having recently returned from its second hugely successful California tour. Henry’s debut album, “High Road”, was nominated for Best New Artist Debut Album at the 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards. The CD also debuted at #12 on the Roots Reports Top 50 Contemporary Blues Albums. In all, there will be nearly 20 musical acts at the Festival in the Borough.

Among the other bands set to play are Southbound, Don Kincaid & The Wait, Jam-Bone and JerZgirls. More band announcements to come!

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