Columbus Day Parade Kickoff Party July 12

Paul Criscuolo, President of the Columbus Day Committee of Greater New Haven, has announced this year’s Columbus Day Parade Kickoff Party will be held on Sunday July 12.

The party will be hosted by the East Haven Italian-American Club at the club’s facility, 509 Laurel St. in East Haven. The event, which will feature food, drinks and entertainment, will run from 1 p.m. until evening.

Tickets may be purchased in advance from the Committee or at the East Haven Mayor’s Office, located in Town Hall at 250 Main St. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

“On behalf of our entire committee, we cannot express enough thanks to the East Haven Italian-American Club for generously offering to host this great day,” Criscuolo said. “The event is a significant fundraiser for the Committee as all proceeds will be used for this year’s Columbus Day Parade, which is being held in East Haven on Sunday October 11 beginning at 1 p.m.”

Since 2003, the parade has been a regional event hosted on a rotating basis among six area communities, which includes North Haven, Hamden, West Haven, New Haven and Branford. The Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade Committee remains the organizer of the program, with the annual assistance from each hosting community.

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. of East Haven is the Honorary Chairman of this year’s Parade, which will step off from the intersection of Coe Avenue and Short Beach Road, down Hemingway Avenue to Main Street into the West End district, concluding at Circle Lanes, which covers approximately 1.6 miles.

Volunteers are also still needed for planning and coordinating the parade. To march in the parade, any group or organization must complete the parade application which can be obtained on the web: www.columbusdaynewhaven.org, by emailing: eh.joyce@att.net or by calling Mayor Maturo’s office, at 203-468-3204.