Italian-Americans in The Bronx are busy making preparations for The Columbus Day Parade on October 9. This annual celebration not only pays tribute to Christopher Columbus, but to Italian Americans everywhere.
Bronx 35th Columbus Day Parade begins at noon from Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road and continues to Williamsbridge Rd. this coming Sunday, October 9. The 2011 Bronx Columbus Parade is reportedly to be the second largest Columbus Day parade in New York City. The parade draws attendees from City Island, Pelham Bay, Morris Park, Throgs Neck and many residents from all over our district.
The grand Marshall for this year's festivities is Dr. Joseph Scelsa, who enjoys a brilliant professional as well as an outstanding academic career.
Scelsa is the founder, as well as the President of the Italian American Museum. He is also professor emeritus at Queens College. This year's Grand Marshall is a local yokel, who proudly boasts having grown up in Morris Park, graduated from Salesian HS in New Rochelle, received his bachelor's degree from LIU, his Masters from Lehman College. and a doctorate from Columbia Teachers College. Scelsa combines his love for Italian culture, as well as a burning desire for higher education. He successfully sued CUNY back in the 1970 for not hiring enough Italian American professors.
The Honorary Grand Marshall is Brandon Muccino, assistant principal for PS 83. Miss Columbus is is Loredana Calce, who will receive a $10,000 scholarship from Generoso Pope Foundation. Expected to march are representatives from The Office for Italian Counsel, Mayor Bloomberg, NYC Councilman Jimmy Vacca and NY Senator Klein, who is once again expected to be very busy distributing food from his "canolli cart", as he walks along the parade.