Zeppoles, '90s nostalgia, indie rock, a Christmas celebration and wrestling headline this weekend in the Garden State.
ITALIAN FESTIVALS IN HOBOKEN AND JERSEY CITY
One of Hoboken's grandest traditions -- the St. Ann's Italian Festival -- celebrates 106 years this weekend. The annual fest runs Friday July 22 through Tuesday July 26. There will be a massive array of Italian delicacies on-hand, including the famed "St. Anne's Zeppole." Rides, games and a number of Roman Catholic services run by St. Ann's will be happening throughout the festival. The festival also has bands every night, including disco tribute Dancin' Machine on Friday and La Cabena for Saturday's Latin Night. Free. Friday-Tuesday. 704 Jefferson Street, Hoboken. 201-659-1114.
There will be another Italian festival sponsored by St. Anne's of Jersey City this weekend as well. Dubbed "St. Anne's on the Boulevard Festival," this three-day event will feature food, vendors and games. There will be music by The WMDs (Friday), DJ's Amira and Kayla (Saturday) and Blue Meadow (Sunday). Free. Friday to Sunday. 3545 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City. 201-360-0838
LUCY THE ELEPHANT'S BIRTHDAY
One of New Jersey's most iconic landmarks, Lucy the Elephant, celebrates her 135th birthday on Saturday. Built in 1881, Lucy was a restaurant, office, cottage, and tavern before becoming a tourist attraction. Her birthday will be celebrated with a carnival, a birthday cake-shaped bounce house, nine-hole miniature golf, carnival-inspired food, and tours of the famed elephant every hour. Free. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, 609-823-6473.
SOURLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
The annual Sourland Music Festival is an annual day of music to support the Sourland Mountain Preserve located in Somerset County. The festival takes place at the Hillsborough Golf and Country Club from 3 to 10 p.m. This year's performers include The C.C. Coletti Band, Ten Foot Tall, Jim Ridl, Christina Havrilla and Gypsy Fuzz, and Blue Wave Ramblers. There will be local vendors, as well as food trucks on hand. $10-$90. Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m. 146 Wertsville Road, Hillsborough. 908-369-3322.
WWE HOUSE SHOW IN WILDWOOD
The WWE makes their annual summertime trek to the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday. As of now, the event will feature the in-ring return of Roman Reigns, who has finished his 30 day suspension from the company. Also on the card will be Kevin Owens, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Enzo & Cass, Sasha Banks and Charlotte. (This card may be subject to change, so please check WWE's website for updates.) $15-$100. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood. 609-729-9000.
WXPN'S XPONENTIAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
For those who bemoan the loss of good alternative rock radio, you should be listening to Philadelphia's WXPN. The UPenn run station is a hotbed for alternative, indie, folk, alt country and everything eclectic. Each summer they take over both Wiggins Park and the BB&T Pavilion in Camden for their three-day XPoNential Music Festival. Performers at Wiggins Park include Father John Misty, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, White Denim, Josh Ritter and Mavis Staples. Inside the BB&T audiences can enjoy Ryan Adams and Kurt Vile on Friday; Alabama Shakes, and Gary Clark Jr. on Saturday; and Brandi Carlile and Old Crow Medicine Show on Sunday. $15-$296. Friday (Doors at 4 p.m.), Saturday (Doors at Noon), Sunday (Doors at 12:30 p.m.) 2 Riverside Drive, Camden.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY IN LAVALLETTE
It's never too early to get in the Christmas spirit. On Saturday, the beach town of Lavallette will hold their annual Christmas in July BBQ at Chandler Ballfield. There will a be a DJ spinning throughout the entire event. The menu includes roasted chicken, crab cakes, ribs, corn on the cob, hot dogs and dessert. There will also be face painting for the kids, and Santa's "Tinker Toy Workshop" will be open. $12-$25. Saturday, 6 p.m. Corner of Baltimore Avenue, and Jersey City Avenue. Lavallette.
ASBURY BLUES AND BREWS
The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation presents a day of blues and beer on Saturday. Asbury Blues and Brews will take place at Bradley Park, across from Convention Hall. On tap will be brews from Lagunitas and wines from Senior Sangria. Musically, you'll hear the smoking blues of The Incinerators, Billy Walton, and headliner Matt O'Ree. O'Ree has been a staple of the Jersey Shore scene for years and is currently the touring guitarist for Bon Jovi. Free. Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m. 101-199 5th Avenue, Asbury Park.
SUMMERLAND TOUR AT THE STONE PONY
Make sure you've got your slap bracelets, wallet chains and wide leg jeans ready: The Summerland Tour is returning to The Stone Pony Summer Stage. The annual '90s nostalgia tour, which began in 2012, features a handful of bands that created some of the most seminal radio hits of the decade. This year the tour will include perennial headliners Everclear, sun and fun pop rockers Sugar Ray, Lit ("My Own Worst Enemy), and Sponge ("Plowed"). $37.50-$45. Sunday, 4pm. 913 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-502-0600.
KNEE HIGH KNUCKLE BUSTER MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING IN ATLANTIC CITY
On Saturday, "Knee High Knuckle Buster Midget Championship Wrestling" presents a five-match, lucha libre-inspired, outdoor show. Wrestling on the event will be performers from the Micro Wrestling Federation, and special guest Gene Snitsky, formerly of the WWE. There will be a pre-event weigh-in, and meet and great at The Hideaway in Atlantic City on Friday night. $15-$55. Saturday, 8 p.m. 151 South New York Avenue, Atlantic City.
THE WHO'S TOMMY AT COUNT BASIE THEATRE: Phoenix Productions presents a weekend performance of the famed rock opera "The Who's Tommy" at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. The musical, written by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, was inspired by The Who's seminal double album "Tommy." It follows the journey of a young boy stricken with numerous maladies who rises to fame as a pinball wizard. $22-$32. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 3p.m. 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, 732-842-9000.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.