Though the numbers of those of Italian heritage in this city have diminished greatly since the arrival of the first immigrants arrival to this city, Italian pride continues to burn brightly every October as Italian Americans here celebrate the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. This Sunday, Oct. 13, Philadelphia and Delaware Valley Italian Americans will proudly march off in the 55th annual Columbus Day Parade & Italian Festival.

Mark Rago, president of the 1492 Society which now sponsors the day-long celebration, noted the annual tradition continues over a week, beginning with the fundraiser at Galdo's, followed by the presentation of a City proclamation to the members of the 1492 Society by Mayor Michel Nutter later in the week. Finally, the parade kicks off Sunday at noon from Broad & Moore Streets, marching along Broad to the reviewing stand at Marconi Plaza.

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Source: http://www.phillyrecord.com/