The 33rd annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival attracted large crowds to Seaside Heights, New Jersey, on Oct. 13.
The festival showcased diverse cultural traditions from various communities, including the Italian folk group I Cantori Popolari delle Isole Eolie, Irish bands, Portuguese folk performers, and a Chinese waist drum team from New York.
More than 80,000 people took part in the festivities over the weekend, including more than 40,000 on Sunday alone, according to Mike Blandina, chairman of the event.
The Sunday parade featured 55 organizations, six floats, and 18 bands, celebrating Italian American heritage.
The event also sparked conversations about cancel culture and tradition….