Kickoff dinner to support Italian American Heritage Parade

EAST HAVEN — A kickoff dinner at the Silver Sands Beach Club will raise funds for this year’s Italian-American Heritage Parade, officials said.

The party will be held from 5-8 p.m. May 26 at the club’s Beachside Restaurant, and will feature buffet dinner, coffee, dessert, door prizes and a cash bar, according to a release.

“On behalf of our entire committee, we cannot express enough thanks to the Silver Sands Beach Club for generously offering to host this kick-off event and the support throughout the community,” the release from the town and Laura Florio Luzzi, chair of the Greater New Haven Italian-American Heritage Committee, said.

May’s dinner serves as a significant committee fundraiser as all proceeds will be used for this year’s parade, aet for 1 p.m. Oct. 9.

Since 2003, the parade has been a regional event hosted on a rotating basis among six area communities: East Haven, Hamden, West Haven, Branford, New Haven and North Haven.

The Greater New Haven ItalianAmerican Parade Committee remains the organizer of this program and receives annual assistance from each hosting community.

The parade route will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the release.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased in advance from Michelle Benivegna at 475-227-4711, Robert Bonanno at 203-645-4162 or Robert Parente 203675-1588, or at Town Hall.

Volunteers are needed for planning and coordinating the parade. Those interested should contact the town directly.

Groups or organizations looking to march in the parade must complete the parade application form, which can be obtained at www.columbusdaynewhaven.org or by emailing Benivegna at mbenivegna@townofeasthavenct.org or by calling Mayor Joseph Carfora’s office at 203- 468-3204.