Italian Pride

Councilmember Eric Gioia (center) marched at the front of the Queens Columbus Day Parade in Astoria on Sunday, October 7. Gioia, whose family emigrated from Italy over 100 years ago, was asked to serve as Grand Marshal of the parade, which ran from Steinway Street to Astoria Boulevard at 32nd Street.
Mike Meoni, wearing a beret and dressed as Christopher Columbus, stands to the left of Gioia, and Theresa Meoni, dressed as Queen Isabella, is on Gioia’s right. Joseph DiPietro, Queens President of the Federation of Italian-Americans, standing to Mrs. Meoni’s right, also marched in the parade.