Second Annual Ceremony Celebrates New Jersey Legends

The New Jersey Hall of Fame honored almost a dozen inductees at a star-studded gala ceremony on Sunday, May 3rd at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The inductees included Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, Jon Bon Jovi, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Althea Gibson, Jerry Lewis, Guglielmo Marconi, Phil Rizzuto, Paul Robeson, Carl Sagan, Walt Whitman, William Carlos Williams and Senator Bill Bradley.

Some of the other notables in attendance were last year’s inductees Buzz Aldrin, Yogi Berra and Toni Morrison, along with Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, comedians Jim Norton and Rich Vos, rock star Debbie Harry, actor, singer and musician Avery Brooks, and former New York City Mayor, David Dinkins.

LaBamba and the Hubcaps provided the musical entertainment and were joined by Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds and Kat DeLuna. The musical interludes interspersed throughout the evening had the audience on its feet.

This year the New Jersey Hall of Fame also introduced the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of deserving New Jerseyans who are not as well known as most of the inductees. The inaugural award was presented to U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Brennan, a tremendously courageous soldier and a role model in overcoming unthinkable personal challenges. To the surprise of everyone in the audience the presentation of the award to Brian was made by General David Petraeus who flew in just to honor the Howell resident.

It was a glorious night for New Jersey!