Now in its 100th year, the annual St. Ann's Festival has arrived. This year's festival will feature musical entertainment every night—and of course, their famous zeppoles.

With Frank Sinatra at his side, Ronald Reagan visited the festival as he was campaigning for re-election in 1984. The president explained how they decided to work the stop into his frenetic schedule:

"A few weeks ago I got a letter from a Mr. Santo A. Milici, and even the letterhead was appetizing. It said, 'St. Ann's Festival, A Feast for the Senses.' Nancy saw it, and she said, 'Honey, I think you ought to go to Hoboken.'

"We kept reading, and the letter told about what a great American city Hoboken is—of course, Frank Sinatra had already told me about that—and how you're the most dynamic town in the tri-state area. We read about the outdoor continental cafe and the midway with rides and games and special entertainment. And my staff saw it, and they said, 'Let's go to Hoboken.'

"But I'll tell you what did it. I'll tell you about your secret weapon. I heard about your zeppoles. And so, here I am in Hoboken."

So as you stroll through the festival this weekend, have a zeppole for the Gipper.

Reagan did make a few serious points during his otherwise light-hearted remarks. For instance, he asked:

"Why do some who claim to represent the party of compassion feel no compassion whatsoever for the most helpless among us—the unborn? How can they parade down the street wearing compassion as if it were a cloak made of neon and they have no compassion for the most helpless of God's creatures?"

Does that sound "too conservative" for Democratic Hudson County? Reagan won Hudson County, decisively.