Viva Italia! Hundreds come out for Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade

Green, white and red were the colors of the day as hundreds came out to celebrate Italian heritage at the second-annual Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade on sunny Saturday, October 14.
&#8220No matter what ethnic background you are, today we're all Italian,” said Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, who marched in the procession and whose family rode on one of the more than a dozen floats sponsored by local merchants. His late father, Congressmember Joseph P. Addabbo Sr., was this year's honoree.
The parade's Grand Marshals were Joseph Meccariello, owner of Mecc Contracting, and Mary Grosso, Assistant Branch Manager of North Fork Bank.
&#8220This is a great day with great weather and great people,” said Meccariello, originally from Napoli.
With classic and Italian-crafted sports cars - including Ferraris and Lamborghinis - the parade kicked off at Cross Bay Boulevard and 156th Avenue with a prayer and the singing of the American and Italian national anthems.
&#8220Sono molto contenta [I'm very happy],” said Nina Guerriero, originally from Italy.
Watching the parade surrounded by her family - many of whom had festively painted their faces the color of the Italian flag - Guerriero went on to say that the local celebration of her heritage made her &#8220very proud.”
Even those not of Italian ancestry came out to enjoy this community-building event.
&#8220I'm watching the parade and supporting Italians,” said Chaudhry Afzal, owner of A-1 Wireless on Cross Bay Boulevard.
As the procession progressed, fans young and old cheered on special guest Goomba Johnny from radio station WKTU while singing sensation Angelo Venuto entertained the crowd with hits such as &#8220Sweet Caroline,” &#8220Ti Amo,” and &#8220L'italiano.”
Marchers included the Pipers and Drums of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Emerald Society, the NYPD band, the Knights of Columbus, neighborhood cub scouts, and more.
&#8220We're proud to be Italian and proud to live in this community,” &#8220said Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio, who said that the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation had been working since last year to organize this year's festivities, and that the 2007 parade promises to be bigger and better.