Italian American Pride Shines During Annual Columbus Day Parade

Midtown became a sea of red, white and green today as the 69th annual Columbus Day Parade made its way up Fifth Avenue.

The world’s largest celebration of Italian-American pride stretched from 47th Street up to 72nd Street.

More than 35,000 marchers were expected in today’s parade, although the West Point Marching Band had to cancel due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Philanthropist Joseph Perella serve as Grand Marshal.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation has run the parade since 1929.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan started off the holiday at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by blessing its newly restored bronze doors.

The doors, adorning the cathedral’s main Fifth Avenue entrance, were recently re-installed following a three month restoration process.

Each door weighs more than 9,000 pounds and is decorated with saints and other religious figures, including Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.

During the annual Columbus Day mass Cardinal Dolan thanked Columbus for the gift of Italian heritage and its people’s strong Catholic faith.

Today’s parade is the culmination of a weekend of events.

On Sunday, a wreath-laying ceremony at Columbus Circle continued a tradition which dates back to the 1920s.

It’s the time when the city’s Italian-Americans celebrate their role in New York history, and a legacy of civil service.

Italian-Americans in the Bronx also came together to celebrate their heritage in the borough’s annual parade.

Organizers say it celebrates the Bronx’s rich diversity.

They say it’s not only about the voyage of Columbus in 1492, but the journey others took to America as well.

Holiday Closures

Government offices, courts, and public schools are closed — and there is no mail delivery.

There’s also no garbage or recycling pick up.

Alternate-side parking rules are suspended, but you still have to pay to park at a meter.

Subways, buses, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road are running on a regular week-day schedule, as is the Staten Island Ferry.

NEWS – NY1

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