Gruppo “Canterini della Riviera Jonica Melino Romolo” sang and danced. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
By Chris Lundy and Bob Vosseller
JERSEY SHORE – Although the Columbus Day parade was postponed, the Italian Heritage Street Festival brought ethnic food, music and flair to Seaside Heights.
The organizers noted that the parade and Italian Festival originally scheduled for Sunday, October 12 will be held on Sunday, October 19.
A unique Seaside Heights experience, the 34th annual Ocean County Italian Street Festival kicked off last Friday night against the backdrop of a water park and a miniature golf course.
You could watch zeppole being fried at a stand, and the aroma tugged at your stomach. As you walked down Grant Avenue – parts of which were closed down and filled with vendors – the smell of fried dough gave way to kettle corn and then to cigars near that vendor.
Italian classics like calamari, calzones, and sausage sandwiches were there, as well as different takes on the classics, like fried pizza. Long lines formed in front of pastry shops.
The Strolling Metropolitan Festival Band gave impromptu performances throughout the festival. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
Italian ice was available, but not very popular during the chilly evening. The windy, pre-storm weather made more people grab coffee rather than lemonade.
For those who wanted a different style of cuisine, you could get arepas, souvlaki or Caribbean rum cakes.
There was a huge tent for people to sit at tables and eat, while being serenaded by Jimmy Bono Geany. In fact there was a lot of music being heard. As the singer was crooning “My Way” by Sinatra, a vendor half a block away was playing “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys.
The Strolling Metropolitan Festival Band performed randomly throughout the festival, but the real stars were Gruppo “Canterini della Riviera Jonica Melino Romolo.” This folkloric group consisted of around 45 members under the direction of their president, Francesco Fame. They were founded in 1965 in Roccalumera, Messina by Melino Romolo and Sebastiano Totaro.
Long serving event Committee Chairman Michael Blandina said the committee was proud to continue “our tradition of bringing in special folkloric groups direct from Italy to participate in the festival.”
Gruppo “Canterini della Riviera Jonica Melino Romolo” sang and danced. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
“They arrived for their first time in the eastern United States on October 7,” he said. The primary focus of their music consisted of songs of love, of work on land and sea and carnival songs with the famous “carretto siciliano” Sicilian cart.
Blandina said their performances provided the heart and soul of the Sicilian people in a simple and exact way to preserve Sicilian folk traditions. Their costumes are authentic early 19th century clothing worn by shepherds of the Peloritani mountains and reflect the traditions of rural and maritime life.
Their musical instruments used during their songs while dancing included the accordion, guitar, mandolin, friscaletto (flute), tambourine, marranzano (mouth harp), ciaramedda (bagpipe) and quartara (jug).
While there were a ton of food vendors, there was a large variety of other shops selling jewelry, decorations, collectibles, children’s books and toys – 3-D printed or crocheted. Were you looking for designer sneakers? There was even a vendor for that, too.
There were also nonprofits. The Seaside Heights Italian American Club had a booth, as did Simon’s Soup Kitchen, which serves meals at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Center to those in need.
The delicious aroma of fried zeppole filled the air. (Photo by Chris Lundy)
Rescheduled Parade
The parade will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 19 featuring floats, area high school bands, antique cars, contests, clowns, and various organizations including representation from several Italian-American Clubs in Ocean County.
This year’s parade marshal duties were shared by the husband-and-wife team of Anthony and Kendra Zarrilli of Brick. They are the proud owners of Zarrilli Homes, LLC, Mantoloking Road Alehouse and the Mantoloking Road Playhouse also located in Brick Township.
The Italian Street Festival will also take place on Sunday, October 19.
Dining and Cooking