New Jersey Parade Keeps Columbus Day Alive

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J.—A grand Columbus Day Parade was held on Oct. 9 in the beach resort borough of Seaside Heights to honor the Italian community and protest the cancellation of Italian heritage and culture.
Colorful floats, the Italian flag, the American flag, marching bands, musical groups, waist drummers, and dignitaries filled the streets to celebrate the ethnic culture festival.
This year marks the 31st Anniversary of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and the Italian Festival. The first to be held since 2019, because of the pandemic, the celebration lasted for three days—from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9.
“It’s our biggest crowd ever,” the event committee Chairman Michael Blandina told The Epoch Times, “We have 19 bands, probably about 70 different organizations.”…