It's been seven years since East Haven hosted the parade that honors Italian-American heritage. That changes on Oct. 9. Since 2003, the parade became a regional event hosted on a rotating basis among six area communities, which include East Haven, Hamden, West Haven, Branford, New Haven and North Haven.

Now, the town of East Haven and Greater New Haven Italian-American Heritage Committee chair Laura Florio Luzzi announced that the 2022 Parade Kickoff Party will be held on Thursday, May 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event, slated to be held at Beachside Restaurant, Silver Sands Beach Club, 640 Silver Sands Road, in East Haven, will feature buffet dinner, coffee, dessert, and door prizes including Avelo Airline tickets. A cash bar available.