Italian Heritage Procession Set To Fill Columbus Day Parade Void

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — The annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade may have been canceled, but the committee that organizes the event wasn't about to let the Columbus Day holiday pass without paying tribute to the Italian Heritage.

On Saturday, a procession of vehicles from Italian American clubs will leave Berkeley Township and drive to Toms River and then to Brick, completing its journey in Seaside Heights, the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee said.

The procession will stop in each town and hold a flag-raising of an Italian flag to honor Italian heritage.

Once in Seaside Heights, there will be a ceremony conducted by the Knights of Columbus on the boardwalk at the Franklin Avenue stage.

The procession is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Berkeley Township Municipal Complex, Pinewald-Keswick Road, and stop in Toms River and Brick. It is expected to arrive at Franklin Avenue about 11:30 a.m.

The ceremony on the boardwalk is scheduled for noon. The Strolling Metropolitan Band and Juke Box Legend will provide entertainment on the boardwalk before and after the ceremony, starting at 11 a.m.

The 29th annual parade was canceled in early September because the coronavirus pandemic left the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee well short of its financial needs.

"Our fund-raising efforts fell very short but are continuing, to give us a head start for next year's 30th celebration," Michael Blandina, the parade chair said.

For more information on the plans for the 30th annual festival and Columbus Day parade or to volunteer, visit www.columbusnj.org.

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