A new event to promote contributions of local Italian-Americans is planned for Thursday at the Christopher Columbus statue near Kenosha’s lakefront. The event begins at 5:15 p.m. at Piazza Cosenza on Ring Road, between 54th and 56th streets, and will feature presentations by Kenosha native Vince Ruffolo, president of Super Industrial Coating, a Racine-based metal finisher, and state Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha.

Both men will speak on the importance of cultural heritage and their involvement in the community. Joe Cardinali, chairman and founder of the newly formed Kenosha Italian Heritage Committee, said the event, which falls in the same week as the Columbus Day holiday, seeks to raise awareness of the contributions of Italian-Americans in business, government, medicine and other professions.