Seaside Heights, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that the special guest entertainment for the 24th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival will be "Scialapopolo". They are a folkloric group of singers and dancers from Capri, Napoli, Italy. This will be the musical groups second U.S. appearance. This group, which was founded in Capri in 1925 by Costanzo Spataro, performed at Madison Square Garden, New York City in 1975. This years Parade and Italian Festival will take place in Seaside Heights during the weekend of October 9th through the 11th.

"We are celebrating our 24th year and the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival has emerged as one of the most popular ethnic and cultural festivals in the state," said Committee Chairman Michael Blandina. "As we have for the past seventeen years, we are bringing in a special group of talented people from their native 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 "Scialapopolo" from Capri, Napoli, Italy".

Chairman Blandina credits John Giavatto, International Relations Chairman for the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee, with continuing to arrange for groups like "Scialapopolo" to attend this iconic Ocean County cultural festival.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival is the culmination of an extraordinary amount of selfless work and dedication by a small group of volunteers who are the heart and soul of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee," said Chairman Blandina. "The group of volunteers grows to more then 60 during the weekend festivities. I cannot thank them enough for their energy and enthusiasm for making this Parade and Italian Festival a reality year after year."

"Scialapopolo" consists of more than 35 experienced professionals, divided between singers, dancers and musicians, all with long experience in folklore, brought together by the same love and interest for their culture. Their performances are emphasized by their colorful costumes which take us back to everyday life at the end of the XVIII century and the beginning of the XIX century, that are typical of their region of Campania. The group 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 Committee.

The repertoire of the group is composed of well-known Classical Neapolitan songs and a series of spectacular tarantellas, that emphasis their joy for life not only with their songs, but also with music and dance. With the music and dancing representing many areas of the region. Accordions, guitars, mandolins, tambourines, carracas and castanets make up the musical accompaniment. Also used are local instruments of the region like scevaiasse, triccabalacchi, tra’tra’, cro’cro’ and pitipu’. This mixture of songs, music and dances lifts the spirit of those in attendance to a contagious form of happiness - allegria.

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 as well as other aspect of the parade and festival. To help as a volunteer, join the committee or for more information please contact Chairman Michael Blandina at 732-477-6507.