Italian Pride On Full Display During Annual Columbus Day Parade

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Photo credit Sipa USA

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Italian pride was on full display in New York City on Monday during the annual Columbus Day Parade.

Tens of thousands of people marched up Fifth Avenue for the 75th annual event, beginning at 11:30 a.m., with Ferragamo USA Chairman Massimo Ferragamo acting as Grand Marshal.

As WCBs 880’s Kevin Rincon reported, parade viewers were treated to acts from over 130 marching groups, traditional Italian music and dozens of colorful floats.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling of pride to be at the Columbus Day Parade today in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” Patty Marsibilio told CBS2.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is an Italian-American, took part in the parade and before it kicked off, announced New York City would erect a tribute to a famous Italian immigrant.

“We're going to build a statue to (Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini),” Cuomo said. “Mother Cabrini was a great New Yorker, a great Italian-American immigrant.”

Mother Cabrini, the patron saint of immigrants, was featured on a float by the Diocese of Brooklyn – which recently announced plans to build a statue to the patron saint after she was excluded from a new group of statues honoring women commissioned by the city.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan also expressed his support for the statue saying she was “the best in human condition.”

“That's what we're celebrating today – Italians, Americans, virtues, coming together to work for those in need – Mother Cabrini did it in a radiant way, so I’m glad we’re not forgetting her,” he said.

Rincon reports that a common theme he heard throughout the parade was a need to use a day like Columbus Day to remember and reflect the sacrifices made by previous generations in order to help their families and others live a better life.

According to the New York City Department of Transportation, the following streets in Manhattan will be closed on Monday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the 2019 Columbus Day Parade:Parade formation— 43rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue— 44th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue— 45th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue— 46th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue— 47th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th AvenueParade Route— 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 43rd StreetDispersal— 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street— 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue— 73rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue— 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue— 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue— 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue— 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue— 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Park AvenueMiscellaneous street closures— 60th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue— 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue— 63rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue— 64th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue— 68th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue— 69th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue— 70th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue