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 68^th and 69^th 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 10^th, 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM

WHERE: Fifth Avenue, from 47th to 72nd Street, New York, NY