The Funktion Band NJ- Hot!!! Thank You Paterson

The Funktion

Paterson celebrates Independence Day with downtown festival

MONDAY JULY 8, 2013, 10:01 AM

BY  ED RUMLEY

PATERSON PRESS

Paterson celebrates Independence Day with downtown festival

ED RUMLEY/PATERSON PRESS

Ms. Kenitra Hamrick and sons Key’ar and Jah’shir at the 10th Annual Downtown Paterson Fireworks Extravaganza.

BY ED RUMLEY  PATERSON PRESS
PATERSON – Uncle Sam danced down Main Street on stilts. Children with their faces painted smiled as they rode the Ferris wheel. The smell of sausages, cheesesteaks and shish kebabs wafted down the block.
Downtown Paterson became a carnival scene on Saturday as hundreds of people partook in the city’s 10th annual Fireworks Extravaganza, a daylong event of non-stop entertainment that culminated in a spectacular pyrotechnic display.

“I love this,’’ said Paterson resident Debra Holt, mother of the former boxing champion Kendall Holt.  “They need to do more things like this for the community,” added Holt, who spent the day with her two nephews, Jarus and Jahir. “I like it when all the nationalities come together.”

“This is nice because people support the business and stores,” said Kenitra Hamrick, who brought her two sons, Jah’shir and Key’ar.  “They buy the food and it helps the downtown.  It’s nice when you can buy ice cream.”

“I really like everything here,” said Jah’shir, 14, who will be a ninth grader at Paterson Charter School For Science and Technology in September. “I don’t like the heights so I passed on the rides.  But I like it that it’s only five dollars for the whole family to get wristbands for all the rides.”

The celebration, sponsored by the Downtown Special Improvement District, was centered at the corner of Ward and Main streets. The music was a mix bag of styles – including smooth jazz, funk, and salsa – that befit Paterson’s diverse population.

For many, the best came at the end.  With a pitch black sky serving as backdrop, Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones shouted out a five-second countdown for the fireworks.  Fathers hoisted children upon their shoulders as festival attendees waited in rapt anticipation.  The night canopy erupted in a brilliant collage of color and lights.

The final musical group, The Funktion Band, lived up to its name, belting out scintillating covers, such as “Fire” by the Ohio Players and “Thank You” by Sly and the Family Stone.  The evening was fittingly punctuated with virtually everyone standing to their feet and singing along to Funktion’s rendition of “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.

• Sheri Ferreira · William Paterson University
  

  Great article about our event. I wish they had stated the number of people who came out from 5pm through the fireworks show… hundreds was really thousands! If you were at the event, feel free to pass along this article and post your good feedback!

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   · 30 minutes ago
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  Ken Negri · Owner at The Funktion

  The Funktion Band had a blast – our gratitude to The City of Paterson … and many thanks for the kind compliments!!

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   · 22 minutes ago

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    Downtown Paterson

    You guys were terrific!!! Thanks for a great show.

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     · 16 minutes ago
    
    
    Great Testimonial article for The Funktion – Thank you Paterson