Columbus Citizens Foundation Announces 2022 COLUMBUS DAY PARADE Line-Up and Performers for World's Largest Celebration of Italian American Culture
B.Thomas Golisano, Founder of Paychex and Noted Philanthropist, Serves as Grand Marshal of the 78th Annual Columbus Day Parade and Will Lead the Line of March with Over 100 Marching Groups Including Musical Bands, Italian American Cultural Institutions and Colorful Floats
NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Monday, October 10, the 78th Annual Columbus Day Parade will be held in New York City. The Parade celebrates Italian American heritage, culture and achievements and is the largest celebration of Italian heritage in the world.
Grand Marshal Tom Golisano will lead the Parade up Fifth Avenue from 47th to 72nd Streets from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 2022 Honoree William J. Amelio will join him at the front of the Parade.
Columbus Citizens Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the celebration of Italian heritage and the creation of opportunities for younger Italian Americans, organizes the annual Columbus Day Parade in New York City.
The 78th Columbus Day Parade is broadcast live on ABC Channel 7 (12:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET). Viewers can also stream the special live at abc7ny.com, the abc7NY App and abc7NY connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
ABC reporters Ken Rosato, Sandra Bookman and Lauren Glassberg, along with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, 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. Giada Valenti will introduce the musical performances on the red-carpet stage. Viewers on Fifth Avenue and watching on WABC-TV can expect to see a wide variety of marching groups, parade floats, vehicles, and marching bands.
Christopher Loiacono, President of Columbus Citizens Foundation, said of this year's event: "We hope that New Yorkers of all backgrounds will join us in celebrating Italian American culture and our community's many accomplishments. Both of our honorees are known for their generous philanthropic activity, especially to expand educational opportunities to underserved students. This year, we want to draw attention to the philanthropic work that our organization does to help Italian American students complete their education dreams. And while celebrating our achievements, we recognize the courage and accomplishments of all the immigrant communities that make our city, state and country great."
The Columbus Day Parade was established to celebrate Italian Americans in the United States. Columbus as a great explorer was one example of Italian accomplishment that also exemplified the immigrants' crossing to a new life. Over the years, the Columbus Day holiday and the Columbus Day Parade became effective tools in combating the discrimination that was directed at those early immigrants from Italy, and today provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those of Italian heritage.
There will be a variety of red-carpet performances (on Fifth Avenue between 68th and 69th streets) including American Idol fan favorite Christian Guardino; world-renowned singer Giada Valenti; Italian-American Jazz Singer Vanessa Racci; and Caravan of Angels, a bevy of Broadway and Off Broadway singers will perform "From Now On," from The Greatest Showman. The NYPD Ceremonial Unit will lead off the parade, with soloist Detective Lauren Leggio.
"We are very happy to share that this year, there will be singers performing on many of the floats, which will make the parade even more fun for viewers along Fifth Avenue," said Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director, Columbus Citizens Foundation. "We also have some exciting additions to the parade, including a group of Special Olympic athletes and a 'Bridging Two Worlds' float, celebrating the relationship between the Museum of Chinese in America and the new Italian American Museum, both located downtown."
The Columbus Day Parade is the highest profile event in a series that includes: a fundraising Gala dinner to acknowledge the honorees; a ceremonial wreath-laying held in conjunction with the National Council of Columbian Associations in New York on Sunday, October 9th in Columbus Circle; and a series of cultural programs to celebrate Italian Heritage Month.
EVENT: 78th Annual Columbus Day Parade
WHEN: Monday, October 10th, 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
WHERE: Fifth Avenue, from 47th to 72nd Street, New York, NY
LIVE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH CCF PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER LOIACONO, CCF CHAIR MARIAN PARDO, CCF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA ACKERMAN, GRAND MARSHAL TOM GOLISANO, HONOREE BILL AMELIO
October 10th, 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. EST
5th Avenue and 47th Street
For a Press Pass, or to schedule an interview in advance, contact:
Amy Briskin at [email protected] or 917-734-1639.
About Columbus Citizens Foundation:
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 its scholarship 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.
CONTACT:
Amy Briskin
Press Contact
[email protected]
917-734-1639
Media Contact
Amy Briskin, Columbus Citizens Foundation, 917-734-1639, [email protected]
SOURCE Columbus Citizens Foundation
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