Columbus statue dedicated at Skylands Stadium

A Christopher Columbus statue was dedicated Saturday, Oct. 12 at Skylands Stadium in Augusta.

The statue, which previously stood in Columbus Plaza in Newark, was made in Rome by Giuseppe Ciochetti and presented to the city by Newark’s Italians in 1927. It was removed by the city in June 2020 to prevent its toppling in a Black Lives Matter protest.

The statue eventually went to the Italian American One Voice Coalition, which arranged for its relocation to Skylands Stadium.

The dedication was organized in collaboration with Don Bosco Council 7784 of the Knights of Columbus.

Participating in the event was the Fourth Degree Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus. Local dignitaries, community members and representatives of various Italian-American organizations attended.

Al Dorso, owner of the Sussex County Miners, thanked all involved.

“This statue is not just a tribute to Christopher Columbus but also a celebration of our shared heritage and the contributions of Italian-Americans to our community,” he said.

Anthony Caroleo, grand knight of the Don Bosco Council, said, “This dedication is a reminder of our history and the values we hold dear. It is an honor to be part of this momentous occasion.”