Columbus Day Parade

Since 1929, the Columbus Day Parade has been one of the most celebrated of all New York City’s traditions. The spirits of adventure, tradition and music are all honored each year on the second Monday of October, as over one million people line up along one of the city’s most famous boulevards – Fifth Avenue – to enjoy the floats of the parade on the federal holiday of Columbus Day. The parade also celebrates the contributions of the Italian-American community and the way that this vibrant group has affected all spheres of life in the United States, from entertainment to sports, from fashion to politics. Past dignitaries in bygone years have included the actress Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and, more poignantly, the recently deceased opera giant, Luciano Pavarotti.

This year’s 63rd Columbus Day Parade is due to take place on Monday October 8th and promises to be bigger and better than anything the city has ever seen. The parade, scheduled to start at 11 am and end at approximately 3 pm, will begin at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue and proceed North until 79th Street and Fifth. This year, over 35,000 people will take part in the parade in a wonderful display of nationalities, culture, tradition and heritage. Several dignitaries will honor the Columbus Day with their presence, including the BMI 2007 pop song Writer of the Year, Kara DioGuardi, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and the Italian Minister of Justice, Clemente Mastella.

A traditional Red Carpet program also complements the Columbus Day Parade, with top rate performances by Italian and Italian-American artists in various parts of the city on and around the day. Some of this year’s performers comprise Marcello Giordani, Luigi Boccia, USO girls and the United States Marine Corp Band.

Click for the official site of the Columbus Day Parade.