Seaside Heights, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that the special guest entertainment for the 21st Anniversary Edition of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival will be "La Takkarata" a folkloric group of singers and dancers from Fragneto Monforte, in the Province of Benevento Italy. This will be the musical groups second U.S. appearance, having visited Western U.S. in 1995 & 1996. The Parade and Italian Festival will take place in Seaside Heights during the weekend of October 5th through the 7th.

"Now celebrating our 21st year, 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 fourteen 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 "La Takkarata" from Fragneto Monforte."

Chairman Blandina credits John Giavatto, International Relations Co-Chairman for the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee, with continuing to arrange for groups like "La Takkarata" to attend 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."

"La Takkarata" consists of more than 30 members, divided between singers, dancers and musicians, all with a long experience in folklore, brought together by the same love and interest for their culture. The goal of the Association is to divulge around the world their popular and traditional culture through songs, dances, music and costumes. The group wears costumes typical of the 18th century. The dresses worn by the women and the costumes worn by the men were usually worn for weddings and other important occasions.

The group has marched in numerous parades in Italy, performed in many shows, appeared on Italian TV and has performed all over the world. They come to Ocean County and the United States for only their second time at the invitation of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival.

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.