Seaside Heights, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that two folkloric groups of singers and dancers will be the special guest entertainment from Italy, for the 26th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. These Folkoric groups, "Citta’ di Tropea" from the city of Tropea and "La Teglia" from the town of San Polo Matese will be sure to please you with their traditional songs and dances. They will arrive in the United States on October 5th and will be part of the Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival which will take place in Seaside Heights during the weekend of October 6th through the 8th.

"We are now celebrating 26th years and the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival has become one of the most popular ethnic cultural festivals in the state," said Committee Chairman Michael Blandina. "As we have for past nineteen years, we will once again be bringing in special groups of talented people from Italy to add an authentic spirit of Italian Heritage and Culture to these events. This year it is our honor to have for the first time with us the folkloric groups "Città di Tropea" from the Region of Calabria, Italy and "La Teglia" from the Region of Molise, 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 "La Teglia" and "Città di Tropea" to attend the iconic Seaside Heights cultural festival.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival is the culmination of a years planning by a group volunteers who give an extraordinary amount of tireless work hours and dedication. They are the heart and soul of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival Committee," said Chairman Blandina. "Their efforts make the Parade and Italian Festival a reality year after year."

Each of these Folkloric Groups consists of approximately 25 members, divided between singers, dancers and musicians. All are very experienced in folklore and are brought together by the same love and interest for their culture. The goal of these associations is to divulge around the world their popular and traditional culture through songs, dances, music and costumes. The groups wear costumes typical of years gone by, in their region of Italy. The dresses worn by the women and the costumes worn by the men were usually worn for special occasions like weddings, engagements and other important events.

These groups have marched in numerous parades in Italy and Europe, performed in many shows, appeared on Italian TV and have performed all over the world at special events. They come to Ocean County and Eastern United States for the first time at the invitation of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee. "Le Teglia" has performed once before in United States, in Colorado. Our second group "Città di Tropea" will be making their first appearance in the United States, after performing twice in Canada.

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.