New Name, Same Celebration: Bayonne to Host Italian Heritage Parade

BAYONNE, NJ - The City of Bayonne will play host once again to a Columbus Day Parade this year, just under a different name. ,

“We decided not to call it a Columbus Day Parade in order to avoid controversy,” Councilman Neil Carroll said.

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Instead, Bayonne's Italian Heritage Parade will take place on Sunday Oct. 20, leading marchers along Avenue C from 56th Street to Devlin Drive, where a post parade party featuring live music, food, drinks, and raffles will be held at the Masonic Lodge.

Columbus, who has historically been credited with discovering America in 1492, has come under fire for questions revolving around the impact of his journeys on Native Americans. While supporters of the explorer's accomplishments believe the criticism to be historically inaccurate, there has been a stigma connected with celebrating them in such a public fashion.

For Italian Americans, Columbus remains a hero, and Columbus Day has been a celebration of Italian culture.

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