The 35th annual City of Newburgh International Festival during the Labor Day weekend capped off the summer season as children began making their way to school the first week of September. Families and visitors enjoyed four days of rides, food and fireworks at the festival.

The first night of the festivities at the Delano-Hitch Park grounds (401 Washington Street) began on Friday, August 30 with rides such as the Fun Slide, the Sizzler, Crazy Dance and Remix, drawing in kids and their parents and teenagers to brave them one by one. Various sets of screams and cheers could be heard while people attempted the rides. Several obstacle courses, a dragon roller coaster, spinning swings and dragons and a high-traveling ride kept families entertained during the course of the weekend. Children waved to their parents as they went by on the rides.

Previously, the festival was held on the waterfront, prior to the construction of restaurants there. It was also held along Water Street.

This year the festival was located adjacent to the construction site of the long-awaited new public amenity, the Delano-Hitch aquatic center, which is still scheduled to open by Memorial Day 2025. The city recently announced an $8 million grant from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming program.

The International Festival continues to bring members of the community together since first established in the city. The name and concept was drawn from the different cultures and communities represented in Newburgh. The festival has moved several times but longtime community organizers, especially former City Councilwoman Regina Angelo, worked closely, planning and working to make the festival possible. The festival was made possible by the collaboration of the City of Newburgh Recreation Department and Department of Public Works.

As the fun continued throughout the weekend, more and more families came and enjoyed the rides and food as carnival lights illuminated the park grounds. Over a dozen rides, six to 10 games and three concession trailers were provided. The Festival held a fireworks show on Sunday, September 1 and the final day was Labor Day, September 2.

The first day of school for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District will be on Thursday, September 5.