Italians Heritage Proudly on Display at Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue

Italian Pride and Heritage on Display

The third leg of the big parade weekend brought me back to 5th Avenue where hundreds of thousands of revelers lined up the parade route for the start of the 74th annual Columbus Day Parade. Parade sponsors, Columbus Citizens Foundation, always put on a great event by bringing in guests from Italy, several quality local marching bands, and plenty of floats bouncing to the beat of some traditional Italian songs. Events that take place during the year help raise scholarship funds for college bound students of Italian American heritage. The crowd was getting restless as the 11am kickoff was delayed.

Proud Italian American

You Go Girl

Marni Having Some Fun

As usual, the mounted police signaled the start of the parade and the crowd cheered loudly while the first group marched up the parade route from 37th St. to 72nd St. All the marchers passed right by St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Cardinal Timothy Dolan greeted them. This being a gubernatorial election year, both candidates marched. Incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo got the biggest applause from all the politicians. Gov. Cuomo was especially happy to take part of the event as his Italian American heritage was proudly displayed. His opponent, Marcus Molinaro received a polite applause. Grand Marshall, Guy Chiarello, First Data President, greeted the crowd. Once all the parade VIPs, dignitaries and politicians made their way up the parade route, then the fun began.

Italian Secret Service

Cars in Italian Flag Colors

Flag bearers doing their thing

One of the best marching bands to make their way up the parade route was W. Tresper Clark HS Marching Band. They were amazing. Some of the local bands came from East Meadow HS and West Islip HS Marching Bands. Everyone was treated to a special show when Majorettes from Casperia in Italy and twirlers and marching band from Sacred Heart combined forces. Some other notable bands were the Connetquot Thunderbirds from Bohemia NY and the North Hunterdon Golden Lions from New Jersey represented very well.

Italian Masons Going for a Walk

Horn Section Going At it

High Stepping It Up 5th Avenue

There were plenty of great uniforms and bands. All throughout the parade route, people were happy and proud to wave their red white and green flags in one of the bigger parades on 5th Avenue. It was great to see the zest for life that Italians are well known for. Everyone there was Italian…some forever…some for one day.