Brick Township, NJ - The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee is proud to announce that we have chosen Lisa Pizzella of Brick Township to be Grand Marshal for the 32nd Annual Celebration. Each year the selection is difficult because there are several worthy individuals nominated and reviewed by the search committee. After carefully reviewing each of them, the search committee has chosen Lisa Pizzella. This year’s Columbus Day Parade will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023. The three-day Italian Festival begins on Friday, October 6, 2023. There are several fundraisers held through-out the year including our Annual Grand Marshal Dinner Dance which will be held on Thursday, August 17th.

"Each year we are faced with the difficult task of selecting a person from the many deserving candidates to serve as the ceremonial leader of our Parade and Italian Festival," said screening committee member John Giavatto. "After thoroughly reviewing and considering all the candidates this year, the screening committee felt that although several terrific nominations were submitted, Lisa Pizzella should serve as our Grand Marshal. Her community involvement and especially her efforts on behalf of Italian Heritage and Culture contributed to our decision." Giavatto added.

Lisa was born in Newark, NJ and raised in Belleville, NJ. She developed her interest in Italian Heritage and Culture by her mother Gloria and especially by her father Dominick, who was raised in Italy. He routinely educated her and her brothers about Italians and their achievements during family time. Her family moved to Brick Township in 1973 where she continued her education and graduated from Brick Township High School. Continuing her education after high school Lisa attended and graduated from Georgian Court College in Lakewood NJ.

Lisa, being proud of her Italian Heritage and Culture, took Italian language classes while attending high school and has toured many areas of Italy, over the years. As her interest grew, she joined her first Italian Organization, Brick UNICO in 2001. She became very involved in Brick UNICO and has served in various capacities, including as an officer. Lisa has been Brick UNICO’s top officer, President several times since 2001. Additionally, she has served as District Governor during her tenure with Brick UNICO, representing Central and South Jersey for UNICO National.

Lisa is also on the board of the Italian American One Voice Coalition. For her efforts she has received several awards from both organizations, over the years. She is especially proud to have received the Millie Grazie award from IAOVC. For her efforts to expand the district, UNICO National awarded her the District Governor‘s Award. Lisa is a Financial Advisor servicing clients for over 30 years. She enjoys Ballroom Dancing and is a member of the Shore Acres Yacht Club located on the Barnegat Bay in Brick Township.

"Lisa stood out among this year’s nominees because of her commitment to all that is Italian" said screening committee member Nora Davis. We are confident that this extraordinary individual will uphold the fine tradition established by her predecessors. "We are looking forward to having Lisa Pizzella lead our Thirty-second annual celebration as Grand Marshal during this year’s celebration." Davis added.

Parade Chairman Michael Blandina noted that "over the years we have had several distinguished individuals serve as Grand Marshal. We believe that Lisa Pizzela will also fill those shoes and will continue to make us proud of our Italian Heritage and Culture." Blandina added "We will also be presenting three individuals with our Italian American Service Award. Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, John Hilla co-owner of Joe Leone’s and Italian Club Leader Gerry LaPenna from Lacey Township will receive this very special award for their commitment to Italian American Heritage and Culture, as well as their continued support of the Annual Parade and Festival."

Please join us as we celebrate the 32nd Annual Parade and Festival, the past and future successes of the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival. We will also celebrate Lisa Pizzella’s selection as our 2023 Grand Marshal at our Annual Grand Marshal Dinner Dance. This special event will take place on Thursday August 17, 2023, in the Atlantis Ballroom, located at the Days Hotel in Toms River, New Jersey beginning at 6:30 pm. To commemorate the Dinner Dance and the selection of Lisa Pizzella as Grand Marshal, we will publish a souvenir ad journal that will be distributed at our annual dinner dance and other events leading up to the parade. We are currently looking for Sponsors for the Grand Marshal Dinner Dance. If you or your business, would like to show your support at the Dinner Dance as a Sponsor please call Michael at 732 477-6507. The deadline for Sponsorship is Tuesday July 20, 2023

Anyone interested in attending the dinner dance, sponsoring the event, joining the Parade Committee, or wanting any other information regarding this year’s Parade and Italian Festival and accompanying events may contact Michael at 732 477-6507 or e-mail the committee at info@columbusnj.org.