The 80th annual Columbus Day Parade took place on October 14th in Manhattan, adding a touch of vibrant color to the New York City skyline as autumn approaches. The parade officially kicked off at 11:30 am, with a variety of parade groups starting from 46th Street, parading along the bustling Fifth Avenue, passing through more than twenty blocks, and finally reaching 72nd Street.
This grand celebration began with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, setting a solemn and sacred tone for the entire event. Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October each year as a federal holiday in the United States, commemorates the historic contribution of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus who discovered the American continent in 1492. In New York City, this holiday is marked by a grand parade showcasing the profound influence of Italian Americans on American culture.
This year’s parade attracted nearly a hundred groups to participate, lasting for about four hours and showcasing the multicultural charm of New York City. In addition to various Italian-themed organizations, New York Governor Hochul, numerous elected officials, representatives from different schools, community organizations, as well as agencies like the Marine Corps, NYPD, FDNY, and the Sanitation Department actively participated to celebrate this nationwide festival.
As the parade procession made its way along Fifth Avenue, the colorful floats, uplifting marching bands, and people waving Italian and American flags created a spectacular sight. The sound of Scottish bagpipes, vintage cars, and drumming groups, accompanied by lively songs and dances, captivated onlookers along the route. Several singers from different organizations performed classic Italian opera arias on floats, filling the streets with their melodious voices as if hosting an outdoor music feast.
This year, the Falun Dafa Tian Guo Marching Band, drumming groups, and float teams also joined the parade, attracting the attention of many spectators. The band’s performance included songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Falun Dafa Is Good,” mesmerizing the audience. Many excitedly took out their phones to take photos and videos, while others clapped along, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere at the event.
The participation of groups from diverse cultural backgrounds added a radiant touch to this traditional and modern interwoven festival, showcasing the multicultural appreciation and learning opportunities present in New York City. Spectators expressed that the parade not only celebrated Columbus Day but also offered a rare chance to showcase and appreciate the diversity of New York’s culture and ethnicities.
Ms. Huang arrived early at Fifth Avenue and believed that Chinese people should actively participate in events on this international stage in New York, hoping for a better social standing and integration into American society for the Chinese community.
Miss Vai, of Vietnamese descent from California, came to New York to reunite with friends she had known for over 40 years. She expressed her joy at coincidentally witnessing this special day and being able to watch the parade with her old friends, saying, “This is my first time watching, and I am very excited.” “It’s great, there are six of us in total.”
Mr. Lin, who came to the United States years ago to study at St. John’s University and worked as a designer before retiring, is now a member of the Catholic Red Cross. Before watching the parade, he visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral and mentioned that he enjoyed listening to Italian songs during the colorful procession, as he had studied in Italy for three years and found it thrilling to watch the parade in New York for the first time.
“As an Italian descendant, Alexander Macina is proud of this year’s grand celebration, highlighting the meaningful addition of Chinese community participation. He mentioned, “This is an opportunity to share Italian culture with Americans. I enjoyed the entire process and seeing people from other countries, such as the Chinese community, showing interest in participating. This brings vitality to the parade, allowing us to share our cultures.”