Seaside Heights, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that "Citta’ di Castrovillari" a folkloric group of singers and dancers from Italy, will be the special guest entertainment for the 28th Annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. This Folkoric group from Castrovillari, which is located in northern Calabria, is close to the border with Basilicata and within Pollino National Park. This talented group will be sure to please you with their traditional songs and dances from their region of Italy. They will arrive in the United States on October 10th and will be part of the Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival, which will take place in Seaside Heights during the weekend of October 11th through the 13th.

"We are now celebrating 28 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 one years, we will once again be bringing in a special group 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 the United States, here in Ocean County, New Jersey the folkloric groups "Citta’ di Castrovillari". They are from the Region of Calabria, 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 "Citta’ di Castrovillari" to attend these cultural events in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. While they are here the committee arranges day trips to Atlantic City, Philadelphia and New York for them. Additional performances are also scheduled around Ocean County, following the parade and festival.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is now making final preparations to celebrate our 28th 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 for more than a quarter of a century."

This Folkloric Group consists of approximately 25 members, divided between singers, dancers and musicians. All members are very experienced in folklore and are brought together by the same love and interest for their culture. Accordions, Drums and Guitars are highlighted in this group’s performances. The goal of associations like "Citta’ di Castrovillari" are to divulge around the world their popular and traditional culture through songs, dances, music and costumes. The groups beautiful costumes are typical of years gone by, in their region of Italy.

This group is under the direction of Antonio Notaro, their President and has performed at numerous events not only in Italy and Europe but also in Mexico, Argentina and Japan. 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 28th 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 sponsors, 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.