Columbus Day Parade returns to NYC, celebrating Italian-American culture
The parade was broadcast on Channel 7, WABC-TV and streamed on ABC 7 New York
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The 80th Annual Columbus Day Parade returned to Fifth Avenue in New York City on Monday.
Thousands of people waved their tri-color flags from 44th to 72nd streets while generations of families took part in the vibrant exhibit of Italian culture.
The city's celebration of its Italian cultural roots is a tradition connecting those with a little or a lot of Italian heritage to ancestors who made this their home.
Mayor Eric Adams was all smiles as he stepped in the parade, snapping photos with Cardinal Dolan. And Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul also joined the festivities.
Marchers made their way up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with pride.
Capt. Scott Deo took part in the 80th annual parade with his family and fellow New York City firefighters.
"It's a great day to celebrate your heritage and where you came from, where your family came from," Deo said.
He served 21 years with the department -- an example of the Italian-American contributions that many were there to recognize.
"We have a beautiful culture, everything's united, we're passionate," said Christina Scopelliti. "My grandparents came in from Ellis Island, so I'm really passionate about being Italian and just everything that they did, they came here, you know, the right way and they worked very hard for what they did."
The parade draws thousands of people each year, and for some, it's tradition and for others, it's the start of something new.
"I mean, my grandparents came here from Sicily in the '60s, so it's definitely something that's really close to my heart," said first-time parade-goer Anthony. "And, you know, to be able to come out here, celebrate those achievements, celebrate a key part of what is a big part of our lives... it's a beautiful display."
Business executive Michael T. Strianese served as Grand Marshal this year. Strianese is best known for his tenure as the Chairman and CEO of L3 Technologies, Inc., a global aerospace and national security company.
Among this year's honorees was Carmine Di Sibio, the former Global Chairman and CEO of EY (formerly Ernst & Young) who played a pivotal role in the growth and innovation of one of the world's leading professional services organizations.
Born in Italy, Carmine emigrated with his family at age three and was raised in Glen Cove, New York. He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Colgate University and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, which propelled his extensive career in financial services.
Another honoree was Vivian Cardia, a philanthropist and former president of Vivicar LLC. Born, raised, and educated in New York, she earned her BA in Italian from Fordham University. Notably, she was one of the first Italian American female members and traders of the American Stock Exchange, trading options from 1982 to 1988.
Following the crash of 1987, she joined her family's business, the storied Greenwich Village restaurant, the Beatrice Inn, which the family owned from 1955 to 2005.
The parade is organized each year by the Columbus Citizens Foundation.
In addition to the Parade, the organization held a gala to raise scholarship funds and a Wreath-Laying ceremony over the weekend, paying tribute to the civil servants and first responders who contribute to our community and help keep the city safe.
The Foundation has disbursed over $40 million in scholarships to students and grants to charitable causes over the years.
For more information, please visit the Columbus Citizens Foundation.
The parade was hosted by anchors Sandra Bookman and Mike Marza, with Comedian Joe Piscopo. Reporters Joelle Garguilo and Lauren Glassberg joined the team along the parade route.
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