Italian Festival, Columbus Day Parade in Seaside Heights This Weekend

The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade. (Credit: Parade Committee/File Photo)

The annual Ocean County Columbus Day Parade, held amidst the Seaside Heights Italian Festival, is scheduled for this weekend.

The three-day event begins this Friday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m. and lasts to 10 p.m. It picks up Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.The festival, held on Grant Avenue between Ocean Terrace and Central Avenue, features vendors, plenty of Italian food, music and more.

The parade kicks off Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. on the Boulevard and will features floats, bands, antique cars and plenty of local groups celebrating Italian-American heritage.

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Lucky Leo’s amusement arcade will host a VIP party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where customers are eligible to receive promotional gifts, prizes and free play when they load a $20 players’ card for games, plus a complimentary buffet at 12 noon. There will be face painting for kids, and the grand prize of a pizza oven will by drawn at 3 p.m.

This year will mark the 32nd parade and festival. Grant Avenue, and portions of Ocean Terrace, as well as the Boulevard during parade hours, will be closed to traffic and parking. Municipal parking fees remain in effect through Oct. 31, however there are free options.