(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and Rahway City Council present the inaugural NJ Art and Music Express, an all-day collaborative art festival set to captivate audiences on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The event features free NJ Transit rides between Rahway, Woodbridge, and Avenel all day long.

From 10:00am to 5:00pm the Rahway Train Station Plaza will showcase an eclectic mix of folk-pop, acoustic rock, indie alternative, jazz, and blues.

Attendees are encouraged to venture to the Rahway Recreation Center, Rahway Library, Atelier Rosal Gallery, and The Coffee Box to enjoy a variety of Rahway Creates Exhibits. Additionally, the East Cherry Street Artisan Market, located between Irving Street and Monroe Street, will feature a vibrant array of unique gifts and handmade items from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

In collaboration with NJ Arts & Music Express, a special preview exhibit opening will be offered for the Gallery Space Pop-Up, Between Extremes: An Exhibit of Black & White Artworks, from 12:00pm-3:00pm. The exhibit is located at The Rahway Senior Center at 1306 Esterbrook Avenue. The full exhibit is set to run from May 5 to May 31, 2024, and is presented by Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and the Rahway City Council.

In recognition of Rahway's commitment to public art, a mural dedication ceremony for the Native Perennials Mural, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Irving Street, will take place at 12:00 PM.

“This mural dedication is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the artist, Emilio Florentine’s vision and talent,” said Mayor Raymond Giacobbe. “It is also a recognition of the cultural enrichment that art brings to public spaces, fostering a sense of identity and belonging among residents.”

The festival will also feature live performances and events presented by the Union County Performing Arts Center and the Hamilton Stage. UCPAC will sponsor free events including "May the Fourth Be With UCPAC," an open house event at 1:00pm featuring a live Wurlitzer organ performance by organist Eric Fahner. There will also be a free movie screening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at 2:00pm. At Hamilton Stage, dive into the Golden Gals, Live! Attendees can get $10 off the 2:00pm show when they also buy a ticket to a comedy show on 5/4 at the Avenel PAC.

For the full schedule of Rahway events, please visit: https://rahwayishappening.com/njamx/

After enjoying all that Rahway has to offer, individuals are encouraged to hop on a free train ride to Avenel and/or Woodbridge and keep the celebrations going.

The City of Rahway, located in Union County, New Jersey, is a vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, growing arts scene, thriving local business economy, and progressive outlook on the future. The City of Rahway strives to provide its residents and visitors with a welcoming environment that promotes equality, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community.