Columbus Day Parade 2021 Celebrates Italian Culture and Heritage in New York City
Columbus Day Parade - Preparations Underway (Photo: Saswat Pattanayak/TheNews.NYC)
By Saswat Pattanayak
October 11, 2021 // New York
The largest celebration of Italian American heritage and culture in the United States, Columbus Day Parade took place as planned in New York City on October 11. Starting from 44th Street and going up to 72nd Street in Manhattan, the Parade included marching bands, a “red carpet” area (between 67th and 69th Street) for stage-acts, and honoring of prominent citizens of the city. Michael Pascucci, Chairman of Duck Pond Associates, led the 77th Annual Columbus Day Parade. As Grand Marshal, Pascucci led dozens of marching bands and floats and over 100 marching groups up the Fifth Avenue parade route. Earlier while announcing the Grand Marshal, Columbus Citizens Foundation President Marian Pardo had praised his success as a prominent Italian American both in business and philanthropic endeavors.
Joe Gurrera, owner of Citarella, and Jodi Pulice, founder and CEO of JRT Realty Group, are the honorees of the 2021 Columbus Celebration. New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro is the recipient of 2021's Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Celebration Chair Angelo Vivolo had promised an incredible celebration designed for the nation to enjoy. "As we acknowledge the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and emerge from a health crisis that none of us could have imagined a few years ago, we are honored to produce the Columbus Day Parade as means to reunite us as Italian Americans, as New Yorkers and as citizens of the United States," Mr. Vivolo stated, "Twenty years ago, the Columbus Day Parade was the first major event in New York City following 9/11. We once again look forward to showing the world that as a community, as a city and as a country, we are resilient beyond measure. Having Michael Pascucci lead our Parade is a fitting honor as we work together to rebuild and reunite stronger than ever."
The tradition of a Columbus Day Parade began when Generoso Pope led a group of Italian Americans from East Harlem to Columbus Circle in 1929. The parade was formalized as an official celebration of Columbus and Italian heritage in 1944, and this year's event marks its 77th Anniversary. While last year's parade was a largely virtual event, October's activities will see a return to an in-person national celebration of Columbus Day and all the achievements of the Italian American community.
Past Grand Marshals of New York's Columbus Day Parade have included: Sophia Loren; Frank Sinatra; Joseph Plumeri; Luciano Pavarotti; Governor Andrew Cuomo; Lidia Bastianich; Kenneth Langone; Joe DiMaggio; Mario Andretti; Roberto Cavalli and Maria Bartiromo.
