Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation Gears Up for Parade

The Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation is gearing up for the Fourth Annual Columbus Day Parade. The event will kick off on Sunday October 19 at 1 p.m. on Cross Bay Boulevard at 156th Avenue.
The Foundation has named Michael Amonte as the 2008 Male Grand Marshal and Valerie Smaldone as the Female Grand Marshal. The Foundation will also honor Dr. Joseph Scelsa, President of the Italian American Museum and Giovanni Favilli, Deputy Counsel of the Italian Consulate.
The Columbus Day Foundation is a non-profit community organization dedicated to developing the appreciation of Italian heritage while honoring its assimilation into American culture. Entering its fifth year, it has been responsible for various projects including the introduction of holiday lights to Cross Bay Boulavard in Howard Beach for the Christmas season, and most notably the introduction of an Italian study program for the youth of the community.
The parade is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators, according to organizers.
There will be 13 professional and performance floats, a fleet of Italian sports cars, and antique police cars. DJs Jack and Bert of Satisfaction Guaranteed will head up an impressive troop of DJs including Nicky Guido of 2+2 Entertainment, Antonio from We Like To Party and Mike Nappi of Music Flex.
Entertainment at this year’s festivities will include Angelo Venuto, Carol Douglas, Reina, Jaylyn Ducati, Judy Torres, Maria, Concetta and Alexa Venuto, Tina Ann, Andrea Carnell and many more. The parade will be emceed by Joe Causi of WCBS Radio and Goumba Johnny of KTU Radio. Miss Italy New York and Miss Italy USA will also be joining the parade line-up.
Participant’s in this year’s parade will include NYPD Highway 3, Boy Scout Troop 139, P.S. 207, P.S. 146, P.S. 232, the Howard Beach Civic Forum, Howard Beach Kiwanis Club, Emerald Society Marching Band, ROTC of Franklin K. Lane, NYC Sanitation Department, Beach Channel High School Marching Band, NYPD Band, Knights of Columbus 197, American Legion, the Gelio Band, STARS, Breezy Point Pipe and Drum Corp, West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Broad Channel Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Corps, St. Helen’s School, St. Elizabeth’s School and the NYPD Mounted Unit.