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.