Jersey City will celebrate Italian American Heritage Month with its 16th annual Columbus Day Parade on Saturday, October 11. The celebration begins at 1:00 p.m., when marchers will depart from the Dickinson High School campus at Palisade Avenue.
The route follows Newark Avenue and ends at the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza at Jersey Avenue, where the Reviewing Stand will be placed. Organizers confirmed that the event will go forward rain or shine, keeping alive a tradition that has become a cornerstone of community pride.
- Jersey City’s Columbus Day Parade returns for its 16th year on October 11, starting at 1:00 p.m. from Dickinson High School and continuing to Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.
- Frank and Jeanne Cretella of Landmark Hospitality will lead the parade as grand marshals, with music, civic groups, and community pride on display.
- Two Italian flag-raising ceremonies will be held earlier in the week, on October 7 at City Hall and on October 8 at the William J. Brennan Courthouse.
Leadership and Community Involvement
This year’s parade will be led by grand marshals Frank and Jeanne Cretella, owners of well-known venues under Landmark Hospitality such as The Liberty House, The View, and Hudson House.
Tailgating starts at 11:00 a.m., giving people a chance to gather before the official start. Bands, civic groups, and neighborhood organizations are all set to take part in the afternoon procession.
Parade Committee President Nicholas J. Grillo, who also serves as Chairman of La Festa Italiana Jersey City, shared that the annual event is possible only because of strong community support. He explained that the purpose of the parade is to honor Italian-Americans who continue to contribute to the city’s culture and quality of life.
Community groups that still wish to participate can sign up. Organizers have made it simple to join by calling 201-522-4756 or 201-401-7329, or emailing [email protected]. The event is free of charge and open to everyone.
Pre-Parade Flag-Raising Ceremonies
In addition to the main parade, two earlier events will highlight Italian pride and tradition.
- On Tuesday, October 7, at 3:30 p.m., a flag-raising ceremony will be held at Jersey City City Hall.
- On Wednesday, October 8, at 5:00 p.m., Hudson County will host its own flag-raising ceremony at the Brennan Court House, followed by light refreshments.
