Duo does whatever floats their parade boat
Local men work day and night to replicate the Santa Maria
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Robert Muscarella (r), with the help of Louie Juarez, is rebuilding the Santa Maria float for the Italian-American Social Club of North Brunswick’s Columbus Day parade on Oct. 9.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Ahoy, mateys!

Robert Muscarella, 63, of South Brunswick, along with his helper, Louie Juarez, 54, of New Brunswick, are rebuilding the Santa Maria float for the Italian-American Social Club of North Brunswick’s Columbus Day parade on Oct. 9.

“They had a float they obtained 20 years ago. It was very old then. It fell apart for 20 years,” Muscarella said.

The retired professional engineer and project manager for Johnson & Johnson decided to take on the project as a personal challenge.

“I really don’t know why I did this. It is something I can do. I knew the club would like it; they’re going to love it when it’s done. It is one of a kind. It will be a featured item in years to come,” the three-year Italian-American Social Club member said. “I was anxious to go back and apply some engineering and technical skills to something.”

With all of the materials supplied by the club, Muscarella decided to donate all of the labor. He began planning the float in December and waited to begin the physical work until the weather cleared up. Although he wanted to get started in March, the bulk of the construction began in April and May.

He and Juarez have worked just about every day, weather permitting. Due to the wet spring and hot summer, they would work from 3:30-8 p.m. to avoid the sun and between raindrops if necessary. Muscarella’s son, Bob Muscarella, and son-in-law, James Day, have also helped out.

“As I get closer I want to make sure I make deadline, so that’s every day, seven days,” Muscarella said.

“I guaranteed this float would be done by the parade. I guaranteed and I made a commitment,” he added. “We’re right on schedule. We were behind schedule by four weeks due to weather and other factors. ... We work extra time and I will get extra help.”

The boat is approximately 8 feet wide, 30 feet long and 12 feet high, consisting of three different height decks. The wood is common lumber and plywood and is varnished for protection. The layout is based on an integrated modular design, with most of the pieces being the same size and shape, “like a kit.” The artwork will model a painting of the original float.

Muscarella said that the only real obstacle was the weather. He also had to modify some designs, which is a normal part of the process.

“I think we had a good concept when we started. As in any project, stumbling blocks come along and you overcome them.”

Muscarella described the entire process as “slow and methodical.”

“It was more work than I thought it would be, but not that much more. I think it looks much better than I imagined it would,” he said.

“The hard part is you [have to] spend a lot of time doing this work,” Juarez said. “The best part is [when] you know it’s finished and know how beautiful it’s gonna be. People in the parade are gonna be happy to see the boat.”

Although Muscarella has worked on large-scale projects during his career, he said he has never done one of this magnitude on a charitable basis.

“This is something more or less for me and for the club and for the community, and I will have a lot of personal satisfaction when it’s finished,” he said.

The float is expected to support eight to 10 people, including Muscarella who will ride on the float with a marching band. There will be a dedication of the float the day of the parade and the maiden voyage will begin at 1 p.m. by the Brunswick Shopping Center at Hermann and Georges roads.