5 Events This Weekend In NJ: Italian Festival, Hello Kitty Cafe + More

NEW JERSEY — We're more than halfway through August, and to the end of another week! If you're looking for something fun to do in New Jersey this weekend, check out what Patch found on the calendar.

This week's roundup includes live hip-hop music, the Brick Italian Festival, a "Hello Kitty Cafe" stop, celebrating the music of Count Basie, and more.

Here are five events going on this weekend around the Garden State - from Friday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 20.

All weekend

Italian Festival returns to the Jersey Shore (Ocean County)

Brick’s Church of Epiphany will hold its annual Feast of the Assumption Italian Festival on Aug. 17 through 20. Festivities will take place daily 5 to 10 p.m. and feature food, rides, arcade games, craft vendors, entertainment, a DJ, 50/50 raffles and a beer and wine garden.

Admission and parking are free. (Read more in this Patch article)

Saturday, Aug. 19

Hello Kitty Cafe and back-to-school celebration (Camden County)

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will return to Cherry Hill Mall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (while supplies last), while the "Fuel For School" event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. The truck will serve 'supercute' treats outside, with dance entertainment and other festivities taking place in the mall. (Read more in this Patch article).

Clam bake fundraiser for local fire department (Ocean County)

It's all you can eat and drink at the Bay Head Fire Department's annual Clam Bake fundraiser from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Get your tickets here, and read more in this Patch article.

Summer block fest with live music, art, and food (Hudson County)

Celebrate the culture of hip-hop and rap music in the city of Hoboken with the very first Summer Blockfest on Saturday.

The Summer Blockfest kicks off at 2 p.m. at 770 Jackson Street, and runs until 7 p.m. with food, art, more than 60 vendors, and live music performances from DJ Trish and enjoy! (Read more in this Patch article).

Sunday, Aug. 20

Jazz Fest to highlight Count Basie's legacy (Monmouth County)

On Sunday, Red Bank’s Jazz Arts Project will celebrate Red Bank native William "Count" Basie as part of the borough’s summer-long Westside Jazz Concerts series at Johnny Jazz Park on Shrewsbury Avenue at Drs. James Parker Boulevard. This is a free event, open to all ages.

The Sunday afternoon series concludes Aug. 20, 1 p.m. with One O'Clock Jump!, the special event honoring Basie. (Read more in this Patch article.)

On Monday Aug. 21, the Count Basie Center for the Arts will also dedicate a statue of "The Count," which was recently unveiled at the organization’s summer gala. It is situated in the William and Catherine Basie Arts Plaza.