Columbus Citizens Foundation Announces Columbus Day Parade Line-Up And Performers For Largest Celebration Of Italian-American Culture

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, October 8, the 74^th Annual Columbus Day Parade will be held in New York City. The Parade celebrates Italian-American heritage, culture and achievements and expects over one million live spectators. Grand Marshal Guy Chiarello, President of First Data, will lead the Parade.  

The Parade will run north up Fifth Avenue, from 47^th to 72^nd Streets from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Our 2018 Honorees Margaret I. Cuomo, M.D., President of the Italian Language Foundation, Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Spokesperson for NYS Mentorship Program and Donna Rapaccioli, Ph.D., Dean of the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University will join Chiarello in leading the Celebration.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the celebration of Italian heritage and the creation of opportunities for younger Italian Americans, organizes the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.

The 74^th Columbus Day Parade is broadcast live on WABC-TV from 12 PM to 3 PM. ABC reporter Ken Rosato; renowned radio personality Juliet Papa and actor and radio host Joe Piscopo will host the broadcast, serving as Masters of Ceremonies for the largest Columbus Day Parade held in the United States. Viewers on Fifth Avenue and watching on WABC-TV can expect to see over 100 marching groups, 25 parade floats, 35 vehicles and over 20 marching bands.

Marian Pardo, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, said of this year's event: "We hope that New Yorkers of all backgrounds will join us in celebrating the Italian-American culture and our community's many accomplishments. While celebrating our achievements, we recognize the courage and accomplishments of all the immigrant communities that make our city and our country such a wonder."

There will be a wide variety of red carpet performances including: West Point Academy's Military Band; Carnegie Hall performers Will and Anthony Nunziata; world-renowned classical tenor Alfio and "The Italian Fairy" Simona Rodano, who will provide family fun for viewers. Other confirmed acts include: Lena Prima who will delight the crowd with a performance of one her father Louis Prima's greatest hits, and the classical pop sensation Giada Valenti.  Kicking off the red carpet performances will be nine-year old Romina Perri who will sing the Italian and American national anthems.

The impact of Italy will be felt throughout the parade, as the Grand Marshal and Honorees travel up Fifth Avenue in Maserati vehicles. The Parade will also include Italian delegations from Puglia, Casperia and Milano. 

The Columbus Day Parade is the culmination of a series of events to celebrate Columbus Day including: a black-tie Gala held at the New York Hilton on Saturday, October 6 and a ceremonial wreath-laying held in conjunction with the National Council of Columbian Associations in New York on Sunday, October 7 in Columbus Circle.

EVENT: 74^th Annual Columbus Day Parade
WHEN: Monday, October 8^th 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
WHERE: Fifth Avenue, from 47^th to 72^nd Street, New York, NY

LIVE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH CCF PRESIDENT MARIAN PARDO, CCF CELEBRATION CHAIRMAN ANGELO VIVOLO, GRAND MARSHAL GUY CHIARELLO AND HONOREES DR. MARGARET CUOMO & DEAN DONNA RAPACIOLLI
October 8, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST
5^TH Avenue and 47^th Street

For a Press Pass, or to schedule an interview in advance, contact: 
Jefferson Wilson at [email protected], (212) 249 9923, ext 242

About the Columbus Citizens Foundation
The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City's annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian-American heritage on New York's Fifth Avenue since 1929. For more information, contact [email protected]

CONTACT:
Jefferson Wilson 
Director of Marketing & Communications  
Columbus Citizens Foundation   
Phone: (212) 249-9923 x242  
Fax: (212) 737-4413    
[email protected]

SOURCE Columbus Citizens Foundation

Related Links

http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org