NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Colorful floats streamed down Fifth Avenue on Monday as the city marked the return of an in-person Columbus Day Parade after last year’s event was held virtually because of the pandemic.
Italian pride was on full display along Fifth Avenue as more than 100 groups—made up of an estimated 35,000 participants—marched in the parade, which was expected to draw the most spectators of any parade since the pandemic began.
1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa was among those who hosted the broadcast for what is the largest Columbus Day Parade held in the U.S.
The 77th annual parade kicked off at 11:30 a.m. and ran from 47th to 72nd streets. There were floats, musical bands and a host of Italian-American cultural institutions. Among the floats will be one honoring first responders as the city celebrates its comeback from the pandemic.
As is the usual custom, the parade was led by a line of Maserati cars carrying this year’s grand marshal, Michael Pascucci, chairman of Duck Pond Realty Associates.
Marian Pardo, the president of the parade’s organizer, the Columbus Citizens Foundation, said the parade was about celebrating the achievements of Italian Americans and also recognizing the "courage and accomplishments of all immigrant communities that make our city and our country great."
“Having been the first parade in 2001 to follow the tragic events of 9/11, we are especially proud to once again lead the city in celebrating the nation’s strength, our rebounding from that tragedy and the tragedy of Covid but most especially leading in creating a union among us all, staying true to our Parade’s themes of resilience, recovery and reunion,” Pardo said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul were among the elected leaders in attendance. Cardinal Dolan also celebrated Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Earlier in the morning on W. 47th Street, participants were putting the finishing touches on the green, white and red floats.
Among them was teamster Andrew Iglio, who was driving a concrete mixing truck towing the Casa family float. He said that after last year’s cancellation, it was great to be back.
“We are proud of our heritage, just like everyone else,” Iglio said. “There has to be a parade—and I say this with all due respect—this is Columbus Day. No disrespect to Indigenous people. This is Columbus Day. I’m a proud Italian American.”
The festivities come as Christopher Columbus' legacy and holiday remain a contentious issue in the five boroughs and across the U.S. On Friday, President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” the most significant boost yet to efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Columbus.
De Blasio, who is an Italian American, marched despite his support of changing Columbus Day on the public-school calendar to Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day.
And the mayor was welcome to attend, said Angelo Vivolo, chairman of the Columbus Citizens Foundation.
“Politics aside, today is a day of celebration for Italian-American culture and heritage,” Vivolo said. “We welcome everyone to march in the parade.”
Related
Related
