Busy Weekend in Belleville Includes Food Trucks, Italian Flag-Raising Ceremony, Parade

Posted October 05, 2023

Join Fellow Residents at the Food Truck Festival, Italian Flag-Raising Ceremony and Columbus Day Parade

BELLEVILLE, NJ – October 5, 2023 – A huge weekend of family-friendly fun and food are on the menu as Belleville launches into fall with three signature events for the entire community.

It all begins Saturday. Mayor Michael Melham and the Township Council invite you to bring your family and a huge appetite to the Food Truck Festival.

There will be more than 15 food trucks serving up a vast array of foods, ranging from egg rolls to chicken wings to kielbasa to mac and cheese empanadas to gourmet cupcakes to lobster rolls. There will also be a DJ playing music while children of all ages have their faces painted, ride ponies, enjoy the petting zoo and try out the inflatable rides.

The event, which will run from 2-9 p.m.at the Belleville Municipal Stadium Complex, will include a beer garden and a car show. Entry is free, and easy parking will be available at the high school and School No. 7. In the event of rain, the event will be canceled; there is no rain date.

On Sunday, Belleville Town Hall at 152 Washington Ave. will be the spot for the annual Italian flag-raising ceremony. The event, hosted by the Belleville Chapter of UNICO and the Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey, will begin at 9 a.m.

Then, starting at 1:30 p.m., the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee will be hosting the 41st-annual Columbus Day Parade - the largest Italian-American event in Essex County.

The parade will begin at Belleville High School and move north on Franklin Avenue until the route reaches Nutley High School.

The parade will feature marching bands, drill teams, antique cars, motorcycles, floats, flags and more. There will more than 800 participants.

The event, which is expected to draw thousands, will include food, music, face painting and fun attractions for the kids.

“These amazing events help foster a strong sense of community in Belleville and are perfect for the entire family,” Melham said. “I invite you to join in the festivities and fun, as fellow residents enjoy the fall season and all that Belleville has to offer.”