The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee
Incorporated
 500 Christopher Columbus Boulevard
P.O. Box 1492, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
www.columbusnj.org
(732) 914-0351, parade.info@juno.com

PRESS RELEASES [1] [2] [3]
Contact: Michael A. Blandina 732-477-6507

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Kim A. Pascarella Selected as Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshal

Brick Township, NJ---The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is proud to announce that Kim A. Pascarella, Esq. has been chosen to serve as the Grand Marshal for this year's Columbus Day Parade to be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009. This year marks the Eighteenth edition of this popular event.

"Every year we are faced the difficult task of selecting one person from the many deserving candidates to serve as the ceremonial leader of our Parade and Italian Festival," said Parade Chairman Michael Blandina. "After thoroughly reviewing and considering all the candidates I am proud to say that we have chosen Kim A. Pascarella as the Grand Marshal for this years Eighteenth Annual Event.

Mr. Pascarella was born in Newark, NJ on July 8, 1955. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey. Upon graduation from high school he entered Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey and received an accounting degree in June of 1977. In September of 1977 he entered the Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in June of 1980. He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, New Jersey Bar Association, New Jersey Municipal Prosecutors Association and Ocean County Bar Association. He has been in private practice in Seaside Heights since May of 1982.

Kim Pascarella currently represents several Municipalities as a Prosecutor, Board of Adjustment Attorney and Planning Board Attorney. He is the owner of Gabriella's Restaurant in Ortley Beach, part owner of Surf Amusements, part owner and manager of Funtown Pier and Belle Freeman Properties. He has also been appointed by the Ocean County Board of Health to the Citizen Committee on the Cancer Cluster in Toms River.

Kim is the proud father of three children, a son Peter and two daughters, Melissa and Kimberly. He lives in Toms River and has a summer home in Lavallette.

"Kim A. Pascarella stood out among this year's nominees because of the excellence he has achieved in his career and his lifelong service to his community and fellow citizens," said Screening Committee Chairwoman Carol Tramutola. "We are confident that this extraordinary man will uphold the fine tradition established by his predecessors. I am looking forward to having Kim lead our Eighteenth Parade and serve as our representative this year."

Kim A. Pascarella's selection as Grand Marshal will be celebrated at the Annual Grand Marshal Dinner Dance at the Crystal Point Yacht Club on Thursday, June 25. We will also be presenting Carol Tramutola with our service award. Carol has been a longtime member and trustee of this organization. Additionally she is Chairwoman of our Antique Car Show and Grand Marshal Screening Committee. She has continued to work, promote and build on our past successes. "Our annual Dinner Dance is traditionally the highlight of our pre-parade festivities," said Chairman Blandina. "I encourage anyone who wants to have a good time and honor these two fine individuals from Ocean County to attend this Dinner Dance."

Anyone interested in attending the Dinner Dance, placing and ad in the ad journal, sponsoring the event, joining the Parade Committee or wishing any other information regarding this year's Parade and Italian Festival and accompanying events may contact Michael Blandina at 732-477-6507.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Seaside Heights, NJ - The Eighteenth Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights at 1:00 PM. "The Parade has become one of the most popular in the State and is the highlight of the three-day Italian Festival," stated Parade Chairman Michael Blandina.

"We are hard at work to make this special 18th Annual Parade the best one yet," stated Blandina. He also praised the members of the Parade Committee for their hard work and dedication. The Committee consists of Band Chair Phyllis Shindle, Groups and Organization Co-Chairs Mario and Mary Marano, Float Chair Paul Perillo, Antique Car Chair Carol Tramutola and Festival Co-Chair Umberto Esposito.

"In addition to the annual favorites that will be returning such as the Sicilian Cart, Italian Gondola and Italian Brass Band, many new organizations and groups will be participating for the first time this year," stated Blandina. "The Parade Committee is especially proud to bring new attractions each year, including annual visitors from Italy, who are always a crowd pleaser."

Blandina stated that there is still time to get involved with the Columbus Day Parade. "The Parade Committee is always looking for civic minded individuals who might be able to join or assist as a volunteer during this special weekend," Blandina added. Any organizations that wish to participate should contact the Parade Committee. The Committee is also seeking sponsors for the bands and floats participating in this year's parade. Any individual, business or professional who wishes to become a sponsor or to participate should contact Michael Blandina at 732-477-6507 or Mario Marano at 732-914-0351 by September 10, 2009.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

International folkloric group "Arlecchino" to make first U.S. appearance at the Italian Festival and Columbus Day Parade.

Seaside Heights---The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that the special guest entertainment for the 18th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival will be "Arlecchino" a folkloric group of singers and dancers from the city of Bergamo in Italy. This will be the world renowned musical group's first U.S. appearance. The Parade and Italian Festival will take place in Seaside Heights during the weekend of October 9th through the 11th.

"Now celebrating our 18th fall season, the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival has emerged as one of the most popular ethnic cultural festivals in the state," said Committee Chairman Michael Blandina. "As in the previous eleven years, we are bringing in a special group of talented people from the old Country to add an authentic spirit of Italian heritage and culture to these events. This year it is our honor to have with us the folkloric group Arlecchino from Bergamo, Italy, who are performing in the United States for their first time."

Joining us from the city of Bergamo, "Arlecchino" is one of Italy's oldest folkloric groups. The group was founded by Sir Alfonso Orlando in 1949 and was originally named "Gruppo Folcloristico del Ducato di Piazza Pontida".

Since the beginning, the group of about thirty people, including both musicians and dancers, has been handing down its customs and repertoire from father to son. Obviously many things have been changing since then. New pieces have been added to the repertoire and the enthusiasm has been growing at least as much as the number of festivals and fairs where the group was called to perform.

From 1969 to early 2009 the group was directed by Marisa Orlando, daughter of the founder, who interpreted the figure of Arlecchino in numerous plays and television broadcasts.

Each song is sung in dialect, preceded by an explanation, and accompanied by accordion, tambourine and a traditional wooden instrument called "bitonale." Some of the authors of the texts are unknown; others are old poets, such as the founder himself, Sir Orlando, who wrote in dialect.

In addition to their appearance abroad and on TV, the group periodically performs in order to raise funds to donate to charitable institutions and nursing homes.

The group is a member of U.F.I. (Italian Folk Group Union) and performed in more than twenty countries.

Chairman Blandina credits Mario Marano, Groups and Organizations Chairman for the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee, with arranging the appearance of "Arlecchino" at the iconic Seaside Heights cultural festival.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival is the culmination of an extraordinary amount of selfless work and dedication by an extraordinary group of volunteers who are the heart and soul of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee," said Chairman Blandina. " I cannot thank them enough for their energy and enthusiasm for making this Parade and Italian Festival a reality year after year."

There is still time to get involved with the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. The organizing committee is still seeking groups and organizations to participate in the Parade. Participation in the Parade is free. The committee is also seeking sponsors for the numerous bands that march in the parade. For more information please contact Chairman Michael Blandina at 732-477-6507 or Mario Marano at 732-914-0351.