Seaside Heights, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that two folkloric groups of singers and dancers, some who use swords as part of their performance will be the special guest entertainment from Italy, for the 27th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. These Folkoric groups, "Citta’ di Agrigento" from Agrigento, which is located on the southern coast of Sicily and "Tatarata" from Casteltermini, a "comune" located in the province of Agrigento. This group is also from the region of Sicily. Both of these talented groups 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 5th through the 7th.

"We are now celebrating 27 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 twenty 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, as well as a taste of the homeland to these events. This year it is our honor to have for the first time in Ocean County, New Jersey the folkloric groups "Citta’ di Agrigento" and "Tatarata". Both of which are from the Region of Sicily, 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 "Tatarata" and "Citta’ di Agrigento" to attend these cultural events in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is now preparing to celebrate our 27th year. It takes a year to prepare and raise the funds for all that goes on during this special weekend. The committee which consists of a small group of individuals who are volunteers and give up hours of their time to make these events as pleasing and memorable, for those attending," said Chairman Blandina. "Their efforts have made the Parade and Italian Festival a reality year after year."

These Folkloric Groups consists of approximately 50 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 dancers in "Tatarata" are armed with swords and they perform choreographies of the daily life during earlier years. Drums are highlighted in this group’s performance and the dancers fights recall the ancient battles between the Normans and the Arabs. The goal of associations like "Citta di Agrigento" 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. Their performances show a picture of the life in Agrigento in the XVIII Century.

These groups have performed at numerous events in Italy, Europe and ever at a couple in the United States. They come to Ocean County, New Jersey for the first time at the invitation of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee. These performers will be participating in the 27th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival over the Columbus Day weekend.

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 volunteers who are community oriented to assist as Parade Marshals as well as other aspects of the 3-Day Event. For more information please contact Chairman Michael Blandina at 732-477-6507.