A cherished Howard Beach tradition returned to the proud South Queens enclave this weekend as hundreds of families gathered on Cross Bay Boulevard to mark Columbus Day and celebrate their Italian heritage. “What an amazing day celebrating Columbus Day on Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach! Thank you to all of the businesses who participated and made this event possible!

Thank you to the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation for organizing this extraordinary day!” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) tweeted. “Today we celebrate the contributions of millions of Americans of Italian descent,” she continued, “and the beginning of the cultural exchange between Europe and the Americas that shaped the modern world and led to us all being here today.”