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Thousands Enjoy Sunny Skies, Italian Festivities For Columbus Day
By Jo Ann La Russo
Sunny skies greeted parade goers at the15th annual Seaside Heights Columbus Day Parade, held last week on the Boulevard.
A crowd of almost 60,000 gathered as Parade Chairman Michael Blandina led the procession of dignitaries, bands, civic organizations and colorful floats in the celebration of the day. The New Jersey National Guard opened the review followed by high school marching bands, vintage cars, Italian clubs, local scout organizations and strolling Italian minstrels.
The sights and sounds were many. La Pacchianella, a dance troupe from Southern Italy, performed traditional songs in red, white and green costumes. Meanwhile, Christopher Columbus, aka, Antonio Lombardo of Point Pleasant, waved to the crowd.
"Parada stupenda," said Pietro LaTorre, president of the Italian folkloric group that entertained with traditional music and chimes while Parade Grand Marshall, Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari, and his father, Hugo, rode a horse drawn carriage.
"It is truly a pleasure to be here," Vicari told the crowd.
Ben and Maryann Montenegro, of Toms River, said that the beautiful weather brought them out to eat Italian food and enjoy the parade.
 | | --Photos By Jo Ann La Russo Floats of all shapes and sizes, such as the one pictured at left, were on hand for this year's Columbus Day Parade, organized by Michael Blandina, above right, and chaired by Freeholder Joseph Vicari, above left. |
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"It's nice to give our kids a taste of their culture and flavor of their heritage," said the couple, with their children, Benny, 7, and, Michael, 4.
Paula DeFeo, along with mother and daughter, Eleanor and Susan Polito, made the trip from Nutley to their summer condo in Ortley Beach for the weekend.
"I'm impressed at how many
local organizations support
this event," said Eleanor Polito, "and you couldn't ask for a more beautiful day."
A weekend of festivities in Seaside Heights brought out the crowds as the Columbus Day celebration began on Friday night at the 'Festa Italia', held on Grant Street, off the boardwalk.
The whole area was filled with things to see and do. Singer Macheis Wind performed for children and adults on the main stage on Friday. David Sodano sang a tribute to Frank Sinatra street side, in the main dining tent. Colorful Television characters Elmo, Scooby-Do, Barney, and SpongeBob pranced through the crowd delighting the kiddies.
Vendors at the festival offered items ranging from designer perfumes and Italian hats and shirts, to art deco costume jewelry and windup toys with flashing lights and sirens. Up and down Grant Avenue, hot grills were cooking sausages, steak, BBQ shrimp, chicken and calamari. Popular Italian food at the fair ran the gamut from antipasto, sausage and peppers, to pizza and zeppole. Hand-filled cannolis and traditional tomato foccacia, and other Italian breads were popular at the Italian Treasure food stand of Joe and Lori, of Newark.
Calzones, stromboli, pizza and fresh mozzarella with tomatoes were popular treats as well as Maryland crab cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers and Philly cheese steaks. Sister's Homemade Cookies, of Manchester, offered traditional anise and vanilla, flavored knots, baked by sisters, Madeline Long and Minnie Eames.
What did this all mean? Dover Township Councilwoman Maria Maruca had the answer.
"It's a great day for everyone to be Italian," said Maruca, who watched the parade from a sunny perch along the Boulevard.
The Italian American Society of Ocean County was cheered by the thousands who lined the street. The Toms River High School South's Marching Indians Band, and High School North's Marching Mariners awed the crowd with their patriotic performances. Central Regional High School band also entertained the thousands of spectators along the parade route at the event, which was sponsored by the Seaside Heights Italian American Club.
The success of the event left Blandina
proud.
"This is our best year ever," said Blandina. "Each year it gets bigger and better."
"Our Festa Italia is always a big success," Blandina said.
Looking at the thousands of happy faces in the crowd, eating, drinking and enjoying
all things Italian, you would have to say that Blandina was right when he said, "Everyone loves a parade."
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