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Albany's 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival
Focus of Special Days

ALBANY, N.Y.- Albany's spectacular celebration of Italian culture and heritage takes place on Saturday, Oct. 11, with the 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival .

Rain or shine, ne of the largest parades and festivals of its kind in Upstate New York steps off at 1 p.m. from Western Avenue and Ontario Street and proceeds down Western Avenue to Robin Street and into historic Washington Park. In the park, an authentic Italian festival is underway from 12 Noon to 5 p.m.

Leading this year's parade as Honorary Grand Marshal is Albany's Fire Chief Robert C.

Forezzi, Sr. Chief Forezzi was born and raised in the South End. He joined the Albany Fire Department in 1974 and today serves as the first Fire Chief of Italian Descent in the department.

Joining the parade is Ottawa Fire Department Band. A traditional marching brass band, the =band is a favorite in Ottawa's Italian Village Community.

President of the Columbus Parade & Italian Festival Committee, Steven T. Longo, said: "We have a number of new attractions at this year's celebration."

  • A special performance by Park Playhouse of their "Sweet Dreams" concert that salutes the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage.
  • On the shores of the park's lake will be Joe Deverell of Cato, NY, with his authentic Venetian gondola. The gondola was originally used to transport passengers through the busy canal system in Venice.
  • The festival will feature a new Zona Bambini -- a Kids Zone -- where children will be able to make masks, sing Italian songs, color, learn how to play Italian card games. There will be bocce and soccer demonstrations, pony rides, Roman Riding demonstrations and a fire dance!
  • There will be a special performance of the all-new Henry Hudson and Friends Puppet Show, from the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • And, of course, there is fabulous food, music for dancing, crafts and more -- all starting at 12 Noon.

Sponsors of Albany's 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival include the Lia Auto Group, HSBC, Times Union, the City of Albany, Albany's Italian American Community Center, West Albany Italian Benevolent Society and Roma Intangible Lodge #215 Order of Sons of Italy in America, with the support of many businesses and community organizations in the Capital Region.

Columbus Day Parade & Italian Festival Photos



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