Spectacular floats, marching bands and costumed strollers were among the crowd pleasers as festive frolickers embraced the dolce vita by kicking off the 28th Annual Brooklyn Columbus Parade along Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard.
The jubilant jaunt, sponsored by the Federation of Italian-American Organization (FIAO), stepped off with a Mass at St. Athanasius Church, 2154 61st Street, followed by a parade along the thoroughfare %u2013 also known as 18th Avenue %u2013 to 84th Street, transforming the area into a vibrant concourse of pomp and festivity to hail the discovery of America by the legendary Italian seafarer.
Leading the line of march were Louise Verdemare-Alfano, principal, Public School 112-Lefferts Park, 7115 15th Avenue; Anthony W. Cromwell, counselor to the mayor and board chairman of the Brooklyn Public Library; and Judge Luigi R. Marano, Family Court justice.
Close behind, a convoy of school groups, marching bands and area fraternal groups strode proudly alongside the borough’s uniformed workers and residents to celebrate their ethnic pride and the contributions of Italian-Americans to the national melting pot.
Marchers proceeded to “Liberty Pole Boulevard” at the New Utrecht Reformed Church on 84th Street for closing ceremonies beneath the historic flagstaff.
Towering from 106 feet and topped by a “liberty eagle,” the flagpole is a national landmark, erected when the British were driven out in 1783. It is the last of its kind in the nation.
