Fifth Avenue Comes Alive for New York City's 70th Annual Columbus Day Parade

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the Columbus Day Parade celebrates 70 years, it promises to deliver fun, excitement and a sea of red, white and green up Fifth Avenue on Monday, October 13^th, 2014 for Columbus Day. Organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation and presented by the Conair Corporation, the Parade is the world's largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture.

On display will be over 130 groups, including 30 marching bands, 25 floats, dance troupes and entertainers for a non-stop spectacle of family entertainment and strong representation of Italian pride.  Performances will include never-before-seen acts, virtuoso performances of traditional Italian and Italian-American music and dance, street performers, historical and contemporary floats, and national and international dignitaries. Highlights include: Jena Irene, former American Idol performer, The Harlem Globetrotters, The West Point Marching Band, Italian Fairy performer Simona Rodano, Deanna DellaCioppa from America's Got Talent, The Nunziata Brothers, Acclaimed Tenor, Michael Fabiano and many more.

Prominent broadcast journalist, Maria Bartiromo and Actor, Joe Piscopo will serve as Masters of Ceremonies as Parade participants are led by Grand Marshal Frank Bisignano to a melting pot of nearly one million viewers from all over the world.  The Parade runs up Fifth Avenue, from 47th to 72nd Street from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. It will be broadcast live on Channel 7 WABC-TV from noon until 3:00 PM.

Grand Marshal Mr. Bisignano serves as the chairman and chief executive officer of First Data Corporation, the largest transaction payment processing company in the world.  Mr. Bisignano has been a leading force in the financial services industry for nearly 30 years where he has been instrumental in transforming companies with new processes and products and helping to grow revenues exponentially.

The 2014 Columbus Day Parade will include Honorees Frank D'Amelio, Executive Vice President, Business Operations & Chief Financial Officer of Pfizer, Barbara and Richard Naclerio, philanthropic members of the Foundation since 1996 and a Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award for Former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. All honorees will ride up Fifth Avenue in Maserati cars, noted for their Italian craftsmanship and joining the Columbus Celebration this year as part of the company's 100th year anniversary.

Fundraising for Scholarships

The Columbus Day Parade raises funds through sponsorships for the Columbus Citizens Foundation's Scholarship Fund.  The scholarship programs grew out of the Foundation's desire to improve the lives of Italians and Italian-Americans.

Part of the Columbus Celebration weekend is the Annual Gala Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, held on Saturday, October 11, 2014.  With a goal of $2 million, the funds raised will support the Foundation's mission of providing scholarships to support the education of Italian-American students who have the drive to succeed in school and beyond, but not the means to reach their potential.  That evening, the Columbus Citizens Foundation will raffle a spectacular new 2014 Maserati Quattroporte SQ4. All proceeds of the Maserati raffle will benefit the Foundation's Scholarship Fund.

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. In the coming school year, the Foundation is providing over $2 million in scholarship assistance to over 500 students. In 2013, the Foundation donated $256,000 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which supports American military personnel and their families, bringing its donations in support of our troops to over $750,000, and it was a lead partner in the reinstatement of the Advanced Placement Program in Italian Language and Culture with a donation of $500,000. The Foundation organizes New York City's annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has been held under the auspices of the Foundation since 1944.

Event: Columbus Day Parade
Location: Fifth Ave. from 47th – 72nd Streets
Date: Monday, October 13, 2014
Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Broadcast: WABC-TV, Noon – 3:00 PM
Press Contact: Faith Paris, 917.710.2677, [email protected]

Attached below is a schedule of the Columbus Weekend Celebration events:

Mayor's Italian American Heritage Reception 
Sponsored by the Columbus Citizens Foundation  
Thursday, October 9th 
5:30 – 7:00 PM 
Gracie Mansion (East End Avenue @ 88th Street)

Columbus Citizens Foundation Annual Gala 
Saturday, October 11th
Reception: 6:30 PM
Photo & Interview Opportunities: 6:00 - 6:30 PM 
Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony (Columbia Societies) 
Sunday, October 12th  
9:30 – 11:00 AM  
Columbus Circle at the foot of statue of the Columbus Monument  

Annual Columbus Day Mass 
Monday, October 13th 
9:30 – 10:45 AM Solemn Mass 
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Columbus Day Parade
Monday, October 13th
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (televised on WABC from 12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM)
Fifth Ave. from 47th – 72nd Streets
Grandstands at 68th and Fifth 

SOURCE Columbus Citizens Foundation