Brick Township, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that we have two authentic groups direct from Italy participating in the 31st Annual Columbus Day Parade and at the Italian Festival. The first group, "Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici" is from Faenza a city of just over 59,000 residents and is in the Region of Emilia Romagna. The second group "Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnun" is from a small village with just under 2,800 residents and is located in the Region of Calabria. These talented groups will be sure to please you with their traditional flag waving, music and dances from their regions of Italy. They will arrive in the United States on October 5th and will be guests of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee. The parade will take place in Seaside Heights at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 9th with the festival running for 3 days, from Friday, October 7th through Sunday, October 9th.

"We are now celebrating 31 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-two years, we will once again be bringing in special talented groups of 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 New Jersey, here in Ocean County, two talented groups "Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici" and "Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnun" he added.

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 "Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici" and "Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnun" to attend these cultural events in Ocean County, New Jersey. While they are here the committee arranges day trips to Atlantic City, New York City and local destinations of interest for them. Additional performances are also scheduled around Ocean County to include senior communities and area high schools, before and after the parade and festival.

"The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is now making final preparations to celebrate our 31th 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 memorable, for those attending," said Chairman Blandina. Adding, "Their efforts have made the Parade and Italian Festival a reality for more than a quarter of a century."

"Gruppo Sbandieratori e Musici" consists of approximately 35 members, divided between flag wavers and musicians. This group was founded in 1959 to represent and revive live medieval battles. All of members of the group are very experienced and highly trained. They will show their skills and art during all of their performance. The groups beautiful costumes are typical of the renaissance times of years gone by, in their region of Italy. Additionally, the colorful flags with heraldic designs of their district were an honor to carry on the battlefield. This group is under the direction of Ivan Samori their President and has performed at numerous events not only in Italy and Europe, but around the world.

"Gruppo Folkcloristico Miromagnun" consists of approximately 22 members and is 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. The group costumes are highly appreciated and their performances are choreographed with their musical arrangements. The group annually presents the "Il Faro - the Lighthouse" award to Calabrian personalities who have distinguished themselves in Italy and around the world for professionalism, foresight and ability in various fields. This group is under the direction of Marcello Perrone, their President and has performed around the world, however this is their first appearance in the United States.

These two groups come to Ocean County, New Jersey for the first time at the invitation of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee and the Italian organizations from through-out Ocean and Monmouth Counties. 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 for organizations and groups. 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.