🌱 Want to march giant puppets down Main Street this October?
Hackensack, New Jersey Patch AM: a 5 min readHi Hackensack! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
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In today's newsletter:
- Want to march giant puppets down Main Street this October?
- How Hackensack plans to bring neighbors and police together next week
- Why this AI deepfake child porn case landed in Hackensack court
Also on today's calendar: Don't Erase Names U.S. troops, plus names of civilians. Say NO to war on Iran! and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhinoceros? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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- Wednesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 82 and low of 67 degrees.
- Thursday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 76, low: 66.
- Friday: Intervals of bright sunshine, with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• ILLUMINATION 250 Parade to Feature Giant Puppets in Hackensack (broadwayworld.com) — Hackensack residents are invited to help build and parade giant puppets down Main Street this fall as part of Illumination 250, an all-day arts festival on October 3, 2026. Free August workshops in town will teach participants of all ages to create and operate the puppets, anchoring an expanded downtown celebration that builds on HACKENSACKtoberfest with performances, art installations, and a nighttime light show. 
• Hackensack National Night Out: What to Know (tapinto.net) — Hackensack’s National Night Out is set for Tuesday, August 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Atlantic Street Park, giving residents a chance to meet local officers and community groups. Families are encouraged to come out, ask questions, and celebrate what makes Hackensack a strong, connected place to live.
• Bergen man accused in AI child porn case will be detained (northjersey.com) — A Bergen County defendant in a landmark AI-generated child pornography case is being held in jail after a detention hearing in Hackensack, highlighting how local courts are handling emerging deepfake crimes. Prosecutors and defense agreed he’ll remain detained for now, with the option to revisit if a suitable inpatient treatment program becomes available, under a state law targeting deceptive “deepfake” media.
📸 Around Hackensack
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Hackensack
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Don't Erase Names U.S. troops, plus names of civilians. Say NO to war on Iran! →
Teaneck National Guard Armory, 1799 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck
4:00 pm
Wednesday July 29
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Storytime with Miss Emily
Lodi Memorial Library Lodi - Children's Room
11:00 am -
Gotham City Jazz – Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Atlantic Street Park in Hackensack →
Atlantic Street Park, 102 State St, Hackensack
7:00 pm -
Virtual Senior Tone & Stretch Fitness Class
YWCA Bergen County https://ywcannj.org/events/virtual-senior-tone-stretch-fitness-class-2-2/2026-08-03/
9:00 am -
Senior Zumba Toning (East Rutherford)
YWCA Bergen County 147 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, 147 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073, United States
9:00 am -
Senior Total Body (Garfield)
YWCA Bergen County NJ
10:30 am -
Senior Fitness Safe & Fit (Midland Park)
YWCA Bergen County 46-50 Center Street, Midland Park, 46-50 Center Street, Midland Park, NJ, 07432, United States
10:45 am -
Senior Fitness Zumba (Elmwood Park)
YWCA Bergen County 500 Mola Boulevard, Elmwood Park, 500 Mora Boulevard, Elmwood Park, NJ, 07407, United States
1:00 pm -
English Conversation Group
Lodi Memorial Library Lodi - Conference Room,
4:00 pm -
Carnival - New Milford - Teaneck Elks →
The Elks Lodge, 1 Patrolman Ray Woods Dr, New Milford
12:00 pm
Friday July 31
Monday August 3
Wednesday August 5
📣 Hackensack Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Let's Talk Veins Passaic | Free Vein Screening Event + Lunch →
USA Vein Clinics - Passaic, 700 Main Ave, Passaic
9:00 am -
Peek-a-Book Storytime
Bergenfield Library Bergenfield - Children's Activity Room (2nd Floor), Bergenfield P
10:30 am -
Project Healthy Bones
Bergenfield Library Bergenfield - Friends Meeting Room (Lower Level), Bergenfield Pub
11:00 am -
Wednesday Afternoon Movies
Bergenfield Library Bergenfield - Friends Meeting Room (Lower Level), Bergenfield Pub
1:00 pm
Wednesday July 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Hackensack PatchAM possible:
- Bergen County Rowing Academy — (201) 320-2951
Rowing on Overpeck Lake - Code Wiz Rutherford — (201) 231-7576
Coding and Robotics for Kids - Alliance Homecare — (908) 505-3952
Private Duty Nursing in New Jersey - Microwize Technology — (201) 322-4100
Healthcare IT, RCM & Practice Technology Partners
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello Fairmount!
I recently opened a pottery/art teaching studio! I teach pottery wheel to ages 7+, Currently running half day summer camps. We have handbuilding… (Nextdoor South Fairmount)
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Hackensack. Apply here.
- SBH Health System posted a job opening for Beauty Advisor (Inside Sales) Sally Beauty 00834 in Hackensack. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hackensack here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bogota
- Couple restores historic Kinnelon home🏡 & NJ bans AI rent software (northjersey.com)
- Bogota Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:BSBK) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest (marketbeat.com)
Teaneck
- Rabbi says ‘shalom' to new Northampton home (gazettenet.com)
- River Dell's best athletes of the last 20 years: Photos (northjersey.com)
- 741 Washburn, Teaneck, NJ 07666 Property for sale (corcoran.com)
Ridgewood
- Lightning Strike Sets Fire To Ridgewood Building During Thunderstorms: Officials (patch.com)
- Suspects Sought In Drive-By Shooting In Rochelle Park: Police (patch.com)
Ok Hackensack! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: ‘Ell if I know. (Thank you KYLE B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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