Celebrate Columbus Day in New Jersey

Information on Columbus Day 2011 celebrations of parades and festivals in New Jersey.

Columbus Day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, on October 12, 1492, or as some historians claim, that event set in motion the chain of events that led to the discovery of the United States as we know it today.

With a large immigration of Catholics during the mid-19th century and in response to discrimination from anti-immigrant activists, most notably the Ku Klux Klan, Catholics created organizations to combat discrimination and provide a means of survival for struggling immigrants.

The Knights of Columbus who chose that name in part because they viewed Christopher Columbus, a Catholic as the icon of the struggle of Catholic immigrants and their pursuit of citizenship.

Today many Italian-Americans and Italian-American organizations such as the Sons of Italy and the Italian-American Association observe Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage.

The first known celebration of Columbus Day began in New York City, a city with a large Catholic population, occurred on October 12, 1866.

Columbus Day was first celebrated as a holiday in the United States as a result of the efforts of Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian, in Denver. In April 1934, as a result of lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set aside October 12 as Columbus Day and a Federal holiday.

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

2011 North Jersey Columbus Day Parades and Festivals

North Jersey (Hackensack) Columbus Day Parade and Festival
Sunday, October 2, 2011
201-646-3902
Starting at Noon on Main Street in Hackensack. Linger on after the parade and join the festival on The Green to enjoy foods and wares.

East Hanover, NJ Columbus Day Parade and Festival
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Starting at 2pm along Ridgedale Avenue from Lurker Park to Town Center Square. The parade route will be along Ridgedale Avenue beginning at DeForest Avenue and ending at Lurker Park. Don't leave, take the family after the parade to Lurker Park for the Italian Festival complete with games, rides, food and the strolling Italian band. The festival will begin on Saturday, October 8th at 6:00pm and Sunday, October 9th at 11:00am.

Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade
Sunday, October 9, 2011
973-284-4960
One of the largest Columbus day parades in NJ. The parade begins at 1:30pm. Parade line up will be at 12:00pm. Parade starts in Belleville at the High School and proceeds down Joralemon Street heading west and turns onto Franklin Avenue heading North. The parade will end in Nutley in front of the Walker Middle School.

Bayonne 32nd Annual Columbus Day Parade
October 16, 2011
(201) 339-7555
The parade will start at 1 p.m. from Fifth Street and Broadway.
The Grand Marshall is Dr. Gabriel Doria and will also include Gabrielle Urciuoli, Miss Bayonne Columbus 2011

2011 Central Jersey Columbus Day Parades and Festivals

Spring Lake Columbus Day Festival/Art Walk
Saturday, October 8, 2011
noon till 5:00 (rain date Oct 9th)
Spring Lake Business District
(Third Avenue)
732-449-0037
Italian Specialties Food Court on Morris, Music throughout the downtown. Best Meatball Contest - Pizza Eating Contest - Bocce Ball Cooking demonstrations on Jersey - Cookbook on sale! Juried Art Walk throughout the business district. Join in for the "After Party" at The Breakers Hotel, 1507 Ocean Avenue, Spring Lake.

Fall Festival 2011
Saturday & Sunday, October 8 and 9, 2011
VonThun Farms
519 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ
732-329-8656
Held annually on Columbus Day weekend. Pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, clown, juggling, magic, & puppet shows, balloon animals for the kids, live country music, crafts, vendors, food, pony rides, farm animals, corn maze, straw maze, pedal kart and trike courses, face painting, moon jump, and lots more…along with tons of 'down home country fun. I10 am – 5 pm. Admission$5 per person, under 3 free.

2011 South Jersey Columbus Day Parades and Festivals

Atlantic City Annual Columbus Day Parade
Saturday, October 1, 2011
on the Boardwalk
Features floats, bands and other entertainers to pay homage to the spirit of Italian-American culture.

The Seaside Heights Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival
October 7, 8, & 9, 2011
732-477-6304
One of the largest Columbus Day parades in NJ with thousands of marchers and even more people lined along the parade route. This year's Columbus Day Parade to be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011. It will step off at 1 p.m. from the Boulevard at J Street and continue down to Sampson Avenue. There will be bands, floats, mummers and more. The Italian Festival Weekend begins at 4 pm on Friday, and at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday and will include an Antique Car Show and performers from Italy.

4th Annual Sea Isle City Italian-American Festival and 22nd Annual Columbus Day Parade
Saturday, October 8, 2011
2 pm
609-263-4461 x 230 or email iafestival@hotmail.com
Seal Isle City Parade The Parade starts at 2:00 pm in front of the Italian-American Club and ventures down Landis Avenue and ends at KIX-McNutley's, 63rd Street where the Italian Festival will be happening. The festival grows larger every year with 40 food, craft and various merchant vendors that attended last year.

The New Jersey October Events Calendar - is packed with exciting things to do in NJ. It includes concerts, theatre, festivals, kids events, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests, especially with parents and/or families with children ages 4-18.

Things to Do In October - The Top 10 things to do in New Jersey in October. Check out our recommendations for the most popular seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages. You'll find lots of interesting things to do in New Jersey in October. This is a great time of the year to take in many of the fall activities and a great time to plan a weekend getaway or late season vacation.