NHSA highlights the importance of a healthy Hudson River at Hoboken River City Fair
Hoboken, N.J. — The North Hudson Sewerage Authority brought its mission to the Hudson River waterfront at the Hoboken River City Fair.
For the first time in more than three decades, the Hoboken River City Fair has returned to the Hudson River waterfront, drawing residents, families, community organizations, and environmental groups to Sinatra Park. The North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) was proud to be one of several groups hosting a booth at the event, sharing information about NHSA’s efforts to protect the water quality of the Hudson River through first-class infrastructure investments. NHSA staff spoke with residents, handed out free educational materials and swag, and encouraged community members to get involved with the Authority’s work through the Community Advisory Board.
Hoboken River City Fair, 1986 (Image Credit: Hoboken Historical Museum)
Reviving a Historic Waterfront Event
The first Hoboken River City Fair was held in 1973, during a period when the Hudson River waterfront was largely industrial and offered few opportunities for recreation. This grassroots event — organized by the Hoboken Environment Committee and Stevens Institute of Technology — aimed to improve waterfront accessibility and build a connection between residents and their waterfront. The River City Fair quickly became a popular community event, drawing thousands of residents and serving as a hub for local vendors and artists, live entertainment, environmental programming, and waterfront education. Although it transitioned to the Hoboken Fall Arts + Music Festival in the 1990s, the event’s lasting impact on the community was clear — Hoboken’s waterfront is now a go-to destination for recreation, leisure, and local programming.
Highlighting the Hudson River
Attendees of all ages enjoyed the event on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The revival of the River City Fair offered a fitting backdrop for NHSA's outreach efforts: the Hudson River waterfront highlighted the value of maintaining a healthy and resilient urban environment, as well as the importance of creating opportunities for the local community to connect with the river. Throughout the day, neighbors stopped by the NHSA booth to ask questions, pick up educational materials, and learn simple ways they can help protect local water quality at home. From proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease to avoiding the flushing of wipes and other non-flushable items, residents discovered that small actions can make a meaningful difference for the sewer system and the environment.
As the River City Fair begins a new chapter after its long absence, NHSA is proud to be part of a celebration that brings the community together while fostering awareness about the infrastructure that protects the water quality of the Hudson River.