Newport’s Italian Heritage Parade scheduled for Monday has been canceled due to forecasts of rain and windstorms, organizers announced Sunday.
The parade was set to step off at 11:30 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Church and proceed to the Columbus Monument at Memorial Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue, followed by a brief ceremony at 12:15 p.m.
Sandra J. Flowers, co-chair of the Newport Festa Italiana Parade Committee, said the event was called off as severe weather is expected to hit the area Monday.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain and possibly thunderstorms throughout Monday, with a 100% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected, with breezy northeast winds of 23 to 25 mph and gusts as high as 39 mph. Patchy fog is also expected.
The parade is sponsored by Forum Lodge #391, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, and is part of Newport Festa Italiana, which is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year.
Newport Festa Italiana has grown from its original weekend of events to a month-long calendar celebrating Italian heritage and culture. Organizers say the celebration emphasizes community and treats all participants like “famiglia,” or family.
