Don't Have Any 'Jealousy:' Gin Blossoms Give Free Concert In Carteret This Saturday

CARTERET, NJ — Carteret holds its annual "Ethnic Day" celebration every September, and the town usually secures a big-name band to give a free concert on the last night of the festival.

Last year, Shaggy performed and '90s band Spin Doctors took the stage at Carteret Park in 2019.

This weekend, it's the Gin Blossoms.

The Gin Blossoms take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday in Carteret Park, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The free concert is the grand finale of Carteret’s Ethnic Day, a longstanding tradition celebrating the many ethnicities that form the melting pot of Carteret, the third-most diverse municipality in the state.

The Gin Blossoms were formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona and rose to fame with their 1992 album New Miserable Experience, a quadruple platinum album that featured the Top 25 hit "Hey Jealousy." Follow-up hits included Grammy award-nominated single "As Long as It Matters," "Til I Hear From You" and "Follow You Down."

“Each year our Carteret Charity Carnival grows bigger and better, welcoming families from throughout the state for a night out of live music, fun and entertainment,” said Mayor Reiman. “With the summer coming to an end and the children returning to school, the Carnival is a great way to mark the end of the season as a community and raise money for a great cause.”

We like the Gin Blossoms:

Schedule of events this week, all held at Carteret Park:

Wednesday, September 14: Bracelet Night, featuring unlimited rides available from 6-11 p.m. with the purchase of a bracelet. Note that age and height restrictions apply on certain rides. Thursday will also feature music from DJ All Day.

Thursday, September 15: Second Bracelet Night, as well as Country Music Night featuring live music from Austin City Limits.

Friday, September 16: Freestyle Night featuring live performances beginning at 7 p.m. from Freestyle legends Coro, Lisette Melendez, Noel and The Cover Girls.

Saturday, September 17: Carnival Day followed by the Gin Blossoms and fireworks. Gates open at 3 p.m. Carnival rides, games, exhibits and cultural food vendors from 3 p.m.-midnight.

Sunday, September 18: The annual Carteret Car Show featuring classic and modern cars from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the epic conclusion of the Charity Carnival, including a Battle of the Bands & Artist Competition presented by the Central Jersey Arts Council from 3-9 p.m.

Proceeds from the Carteret Carnival go to the Children’s Charity Trust Fund, a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, established to provide Carteret residents with a monetary resource for education, athletics, and health among many other charitable causes.