Parading with pride

cold, driving rain didn’t dampen the Italian pride in Howard Beach – or keep the likes of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani from marching down Cross Bay Boulevard –in the fifth annual Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade.
“It is a big statement for the neighborhood,” said Mario Faulisi, president of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation (HBCDF). “There was a lot of hard work, but it turned out well.”
Treasurer Angelo Gurino echoed the sentiment.
“There is no other organization that can bring these people to the neighborhood to show that it’s a stronghold,” he said.
This year’s parade Grand Marshals on Sunday, October 18 were Rosanna Scotto, co-host of “Good Day New York” and part of WNYW-FOX 5 News since 1986, and Joe Causi of WCBS Radio.
“I watch Channel Five news every day,” said Susan Komlo of Ozone Park, who was at the parade with her daughter. “I love her [Rosanna Scotto].”
Komlo said that she attends every year, because “I’m an Italian.”
Additionally, Francesco Maria Talo’, Consul General of Italy, and Giovanni Avanti, Palermo Providence President, were honored.
Singer and songwriter Giada Valenti, pop sensation Angelo Venuto and Mike Celentano – all HBCDF members – as well as radio stations Pulse 87, CBS FM and 92.3 NOW had people dancing in the streets.
With Goomba Johnny of KTU Radio emceeing, marchers included the NYPD Band, Boy Scouts, P.S. 207, Howard Beach Kiwanis Club, Beach Channel High School Marching Band, West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department, and more. The USO Girls sang, and Vincenzo Canio of Howard Beach, originally from Palermo, Sicily, said he came out “per vedere la festa [to see the festivities].”
“The real Italians came out today,” joked Goomba Johnny