Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade: Honoring Italian Heritage

NUTLEY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee is hosting the largest Italian American Event in Essex County. We are proud to announce that this year's Columbus Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday October 13th at 1:30 PM. The parade route starts at Belleville High School proceeds North on Franklin Avenue and ends at Nutley High School.

The Committee will proudly present the 2019 Grand Marshal Award to Buddy J. Fortunato, Publisher of the Italian Tribune. The Gala Honoree Dinner will be on October 2, 2019 at 6:30 PM at the Nanina’s in the Park (for tickets contact Barbara Freda at (973) 650-3849.

The awardees being honored in this year’s parade are as follows:

• Nutley Woman of the Year – Marie Solimo
• Nutley Man of the Year – Joseph Tesei
• Belleville Woman of the Year – Anna Jannicelli
• Belleville Man of the Year – Joseph Pizzi
• Italian Heritage Award – Francesca Roselli
• Renaissance Men – Matthew Genitempo and Sal Scarpelli
• Italian Business Owners of the Year – Dino Vitagliano and Joseph Capasso
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Gina Tamburri
• Community Excellence Awards – Karen Yeamans and Walt Smith
• Belleville Scholarship Recipient – Derek Lombardi
• Nutley Scholarship Recipient – Alessandra Santoriello

More than 4,000 spectators are expected to attend this year's parade. The parade has more than 1,000 participants and 70+ entries, which include marching bands, drill teams, antique automobiles, motorcycles, floats, flags, zeppole stands and representation from many local town organizations. There will be face painting, and balloon bounce and slides for the children.

The parade reviewing stand will be at Franklin Avenue at the Oval in Nutley. If you are interested in participating in the parade, contact Pasquale Meola at 973- 489-7002 or Bill Freda – 973-632-4367

Please join us in celebrating the maritime accomplishments of Christopher Columbus as we celebrate Italian Heritage!

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