Midtown became a sea of red, white and green Monday as the 69th annual Columbus Day Parade made its way up Fifth Avenue. The world's largest celebration of Italian-American pride stretched from 47th Street up to 72nd Street.

More than 35,000 marchers took part in the parade, among them Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor Andrew Cuomo and both candidates for mayor, Democrat Bill De Blasio and Republican Joseph Lhota.

Noticeably absent, though, was the West Point Marching Band, which had to cancel due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Philanthropist Joseph Perella served as grand marshal. "It's a very, very proud day. I wish my parents could be here, but they're here in spirit," Perella said.

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Source: http://www.ny1.com