ProgStock’s Inaugural Venue
ProgStock’s daily performances will take place October 13-15, 2017 at the Union County Performing Arts Center (or UCPAC) theater located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, New Jersey 07065. After each performance, meet & greet sessions with the performers will take place at Patria Latin Bistro and Lounge, which is located directly behind the UCPAC theater building…and we really mean directly behind (see the map below)! This wonderful restaurant will host our “vendor fair”, where you can browse merchandise from our sponsors and partners all weekend long…and it will also host our Late Night Events within its spacious party lounge! We’ve tried to make it easy to enjoy what our festival has to offer you…but, if the spirit moves you, there is the rest of the exciting city of Rahway for you to explore!
The historic Union County Performing Arts Center landmark was originally a vaudeville-era silent movie house. First opened in 1928, this is a beautifully restored multipurpose facility that is the centerpiece of the recently established arts district of Rahway, New Jersey. UCPAC is playing a vital role in the cultural renaissance of the community. UCPAC is run by a non-profit organization staffed by professional, hard-working employees and is supported by an outstanding volunteer corps and its local community of residents.
ProgStock’s “Host” Hotel (and more!)
NOTE: If you’ve been to our website before…please take note that we have changed which hotel will be our “host” hotel! This is where artists, staff, and special guests will stay…and, while they have rooms available, where you can stay as well, if you like. Our Late Night Events will not take place at this hotel (nor at any hotel)…those events will be held at Patria Latin Bistro and Lounge, which is located directly behind the UCPAC theater building (see above).
We at ProgStock truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we’ve gone through the process of choosing (and then re-choosing…sorry!) a “host” hotel for our festival. After diligently evaluating a wide array of excellent hotels in and around Rahway, we’ve found an excellent choice that was previously unknown to us, but is in a perfect location very close to the UCPAC theater: the Home2 Suites by Hilton located at 667 East Milton Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey 07065.
This hotel is where the artists, staff, and special guests of ProgStock will stay throughout the weekend. It is an extremely short and easy drive from the theater, and provides free standard wi-fi, free parking, and free breakfast for everyone. We’ve negotiated a special nightly rate for ProgStock attendees, so come stay at this amazing hotel with us! This rate is $129/night and will apply to all three nights of the festival, from check-in on Friday, October 13 through check-out on Monday, October 16…and they will even honor that rate if you wish to come in one day earlier! You can call the Home2 Suites by Hilton directly and ask for the ProgStock nightly rate (this is the recommended option), or you can book online at their website…but, if you do book online, you will need to give the hotel a call so they can update your nightly rate to our special ProgStock rate.
NOTE: If you have any problems getting the ProgStock rate at the Home2 Suites by Hilton, please make sure you are speaking with the front desk at the hotel, and not the Hilton “central reservation” folks. If the front desk is busy when you call them, you might be transferred to the central folks…and we suggest you try calling the hotel again at a later time. The hotel has suggested that weekdays are much less busy for them, so try to avoid calling them on weekends if you can.
Of course, you can choose from any of the numerous great hotels in and around Rahway…whatever suits you best! But, another good choice is right next-door to the Home2 Suites by Hilton, the Best Western Riverview Inn & Suites located at 1747 Paterson Street, Rahway, New Jersey 07065.
This hotel is also an extremely short and easy drive from the UCPAC theater, and also provides free standard wi-fi, free parking, and free breakfast for everyone. We have worked out an incredible nightly ProgStock rate of $99.99/night for this hotel, which will apply to all three nights of the festival, from check-in on Friday, October 13 through check-out on Monday, October 16…and they will also honor that rate if you come in one day earlier! Call the Best Western Riverview Inn & Suites directly and ask for the ProgStock nightly rate (recommended), or book online at their website…but, if you do book online, you will need to give the hotel a call so they can update your nightly rate to our special ProgStock rate.
Getting To/From the Venue/Hotels
For those folks who will not have their own vehicle with them at the festival…there are many options for getting between the venue and hotels. First, as always, you can carpool with friends (you will see plenty of old ones, and make plenty of new ones, at this festival!) and get where you need to be. Hands down, that’s most likely going to cover all the needs you have in this department. There’s always taxicabs, which will be quite aware of the festival and easy to grab (and our staff will help you, if needed). But also keep in mind that Uber and Lyft are available, too…it’s a commuter town, after all! Cost estimates between the UCPAC and the Home2 Suites are around $6 (car) and $10 (SUV). Similar costs will get you to/from the Best Western, too. Share any of those rides with friends, and you’ll do just fine!