Italian Festival, Columbus Day Parade Take Over Seaside Heights

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Italian pride will fill the streets of Seaside Heights this weekend for the Ocean County Italian Festival and Columbus Day Parade.

The parade, set for 1 p.m. Sunday, will take over The Boulevard with floats, marching bands, antique cars, contests and more, as residents celebrate their Italian heritage ahead of Columbus Day on Monday.

Sunday's parade caps the events of the weekend, which begin Friday when the festival opens at 4 p.m. on Grant Avenue.

Friday's hours are 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday the festival will be from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday is 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

There will be food, drinks, Italian specialties and clothing, novelties and more at the vendors lining the street.

The parade was canceled in 2020 and an Italian heritage procession was held instead, with plans for a bigger and better festival in 2021, which marks its 30th anniversary.

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