The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) A.R.T. Phase II program to launch Illumination 250, a regional celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial set for October 3, 2026. Building on the success of the Main Street Business Alliance’s popular HACKENSACKtoberfest, the initiative will introduce a series of new arts, cultural, and community events across downtown Hackensack, creating a full-day regional festival experience. HACPAC is one of 39 organizations selected as part of the NJEDA’s $15 million investment supporting arts and cultural programming throughout New Jersey.
The NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II grants will support the local economy of municipalities in New Jersey by funding arts and cultural organizations that boost foot traffic, promote small business growth, and enhance community revitalization efforts. The funding aims to strengthen the economic resilience of municipalities, particularly those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, by using the arts as a catalyst for renewed activity and development.
“This $500,000 grant enables us to present a regional celebration, Illumination 250, and bring people together through the arts. Illumination 250 is by the people and for the people—a chance to celebrate our community’s diversity, break down barriers, and drive real economic growth on Main Street and beyond. We expect October 3 to significantly increase foot traffic, showcase our historic district, and demonstrate the transformative power of arts-led revitalization,” said Lynne Algrant, president of HACPAC.
Illumination 250 Celebration: A Collaboration
Illumination 250 is a collaborative effort led by the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) in partnership with the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), Main Street Business Alliance (MSBA), Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA), and the City of Hackensack. The celebration will expand beyond the annual HACKENSACKtoberfest from Atlantic Street Park to multiple downtown locations—Anderson Street Park, Banta Place, Demarest Place, and the Courthouse Green—featuring live performances, cultural programming, and interactive art installations to celebrate the City of Hackensack’s diverse communities and drive foot traffic to local businesses.
This year’s celebration will feature a range of opportunities for the public to take part, create, and contribute. A Community Info Gathering Session at Bergen Makerspace will invite residents to share their “American” and “Hackensack” stories, which artists will use as inspiration for their work. Hands-on community puppet-making workshops led by Processional Arts Workshop will happen at the Bergen Makerspace in August 2026. Opportunities will also be available for local artists to contribute their talent to the planned arts experiences.
Illumination 250 Highlights
The celebration will bring a wide range of cultural performances, interactive experiences, and community-focused programming to locations throughout downtown Hackensack, including:
- Giant Community Puppet Procession with Processional Arts and Local Artists: The internationally renowned Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) will lead community puppet-building workshops, culminating in a Revolution 250-themed parade, with local artists mentored by PAW professionals.
- Large-scale Projection and Immersive Light Installation: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects will create a large-scale digital projection on the historic Green, as the festival’s finale.
- MP3 Experiment Audio Flash-Mob: Improv Everywhere, a comedic group founded by theater director and comedian Charlie Todd, will stage a participatory flash-mob celebrating Hackensack’s history.
- World Forum Cultural Folk Artist Performances at Local Businesses: Folk artists will showcase their talents at the festival’s “World Forum,” with each collaborating with a local business owner who shares their cultural heritage to co-develop their performance or exhibition.
- Family Fun Day: Anderson Street Park will host live music, local cuisine, and family-friendly activities celebrating neighborhood diversity.
- Samples and Sips Main Street Culinary Celebration: Participating restaurants, cafés, and quick serve eateries along Main Street will offer complimentary samples of their signature dishes and non-alcoholic beverages to drive foot traffic and showcase Hackensack’s vibrant dining scene.
- American River Reflection: This site-specific performance in the puppet procession and at Demarest Place combines original music, singing, movement, and installation art to create an immersive experience connecting residents to the historical, cultural and environmental importance of the Hackensack River.
- Public Art Installation in Anderson Street Park: Celebrates the history of Anderson Street Historic District
- HACPAC Art Gallery Illumination 250 Exhibition
For further information about the Illumination 250 celebration, contact Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, at [email protected]. Updates about the celebration will be posted on the partners’ social media accounts, including MSBA on Instagram at @DowntownHackensack and on Facebook at @DowntownHackensack and HACPAC on Instagram at @HACPAC_arts and on Facebook at @Hackensack Performing Arts Center, and on the celebration’s website.
Illumination 250 is a project of the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, in partnership with the Northern NJ Community Foundation’s ArtsBergen, Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance, Greater Bergen Community Action, and the City of Hackensack, supported by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.
Places to visit and things to do in Bergen County, New Jersey.
