The North End Bi-Annual Columbus Day Parade was held Sunday October 11, beginning at City Hall Plaza and making its way through downtown Boston and the waterfront and into the North End. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was Grand Marshall accompanied by District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz. All four City Councilors-at-large marched, Stephen Murphy, Ayanna Pressley,Michelle Wu and Michael Flaherty along with candidate Annissa Essaibi-George.
One uninvited group were demonstrators protesting Columbus Day as a holiday. See this post for more on the protests. Still, the vast majority of parade goers took it all in stride and enjoyed the day celebrating Italian-American heritage and thanking our US Armed Forces. The biggest crowds of parade onlookers were at Columbus Park, Hanover and Endicott Streets in the North End.
Leading the first division were Boston Police and Firehonor guard, U.S. Air Force and other military. Of course, there were plenty of marching bands, drum & bugle corps, antique cars, North End feast floats, Italian-American organizations and community groups. The parade organizers were happy to welcome back the Order Sons of Italy to the North End parade this year.
A special highlight of this year’s event was the Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona from the Abruzzo region of Italy. The group brought their medieval Gostra (Joust) costumes, trumpets, drums and flag throwing performers. Also representing Italy was the Boston Consul General Nicola De Santis.
Enjoy this photo gallery below from the day across the parade route. The parade will run on BNN TV, Channel 9, on Tuesday, October 13th at 4:00, Wednesday, October 14th at 11:00 am, Friday October 16th at 12:30 pm, Saturday October 17th at 1:00 pm, Saturday October 17th at 9:30 pm and Sunday October 18th at 12:00.
Costumed Christopher Columbus and wife Filipa Moniz PerestreloFlag throwers from Sulmona ItalyColumbus Float with American flag on Hanover StreetUS Air Force cadetsTrumpeters from Sulmona ItalyDan Toscano (center) and Toni Gilardi broadcast for BNN TV with help from Sal BartoloRegional flags from ItalySaint Agrippina SocietyMidieval WarriorSt. Lucy and St. Anthony SocietyBoston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Grand MarshallUS Submarine VeteransAll ages cheering on the paradeWith Spooktacular and the Adams Family, (L-R) John Pregmon, Karen D’Amico and Michael MagnarBlades from the Boston BruinsItalian Flag CarriersBass drummer from the North End Marching BandUS Air Force CadetsTony DeMarco, former welterweight boxing championItalian Consul General Nicola De Santis and his son marchMelito Irpino Boston AssociationDuck boat fun in the paradeTrumpeters from Sulmona march in the paradeSanta Maria float with Christopher ColumbusSenior CrusadersOrder Sons of Italy in the North End Christopher Columbus ParadeCostumed midieval couple from SulmonaBoston Police Color GuardAleppo go cartsSenior CrusadersFlag CarrierCostumed midieval couple from SulmonaMidieval Maiden from SulmonaAleppo DrummersSons of Italy Marching BandCostumed midieval flag thrower from SulmonaCostumed midieval drummer from SulmonaActon Marching BandMichelle Wu – City Councilor at LargeHorn player in marching bandROTC color guardSenior Crusaders color guardAleppo TempleFlag thrower from SulmonaUS Air Force Honor GuardChristopher Columbus float on the Santa MariaWhite Mountains Regional High School BandAleppo ShrinersWilmington Sons of Italy with John RomanoCity Councilor Sal LaMattina marches with Mayor Marty Walsh (left)Flag throwers on Hanover StreetVictor Emanuel Lodge – Sons of ItalyMarching band drumsGhost Busters on Hanover StreetPaesani D’ItaliaRepresenting Sulmona Italy, Filippo Frattaroli (left)Trumpeting under the Old North Church and Paul Revere statue in front of the PradoNorth End Marching BandSt. Anthony’s SocietyMilitary personnel and vechiclesItalian Flag carriersFisherman’s Club with Agnes StrazzulloBianca and Ricky on the Saint Anthony’s Feast trolleySan Antonio di Padua trolley in the parade with George Hadaya and Joe CucinottaSalem High School Marching BandCorrinne (center) on the Saint Anthony’s Feast trolleyCharlestown High School Air Force Junior ROTCFlag thrower in Salem High School Marching BandEast Boston US Army JROTCAleppo ShrinersUnited States Air Force Honor GuardUnited States Air Force Honor Guard marching in stepAleppo Gong PlayerAleppo MarcherCity Councilor at Large, Ayanna PressleyActon-Boxborough RHS Marching ColonialsSalem HS Marching BandBoston Police Patrolmen’s AssociationCity Councilor at Large Michael FlahertyState Rep. Aaron MichlewitzStephen Murphy, City Councilor at Large[/caption]American Legion Army VehiclesTrumpeters from Sulmona ItalyBoston Fire Truck, Engine 8
VFW Post 144 held their annual Memorial Day ceremonies in the North End. A Mass was held at St. Leonard Church followed by a procession on Hanover Street to the memorials on the Prado and the military dog tag display outside Old North Church. Photos by Michele Morgan.
Things to know for Tuesday Events for Tuesday, October 10th: 5:30pm Reducing & Managing Stress: Walking the Labyrinth at Armenian Heritage Park. Learn new ways to reduce and manage stress, and enhance productivity and a unified work culture, while building community. 6:30pm FOCCP Meeting. The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will be holding a meeting Read More…
The North End Columbus Day Celebration Committee is returning to the North End for the 2019 parade on Sunday, October 13, and will be hosting an evening of celebration and commemoration the preceding Friday, October 11, at Ristorante Filippo. The reception will feature music, prizes, raffle items, refreshments and cocktails.Tickets are limited. They are $55 Read More…
One Reply to “North End Columbus Day Parade Features Italian Heritage, US Military, Pols, Floats, Bands and Flag Throwers [Photo Gallery]”
Great Photos Matt~~~~as ALWAYS~~~~You’re THE BEST !!!
Can’t wait to see the video of Toni Marie Gilardi (my daughter) and Daniel Toscano commentating on the parade !
I was told that the film of the parade will be shown on Channel 9 (Local Television) starting tomorrow, Tuesday till Friday.
City Councilor at Large Michael Flaherty
Great Photos Matt~~~~as ALWAYS~~~~You’re THE BEST !!!
Can’t wait to see the video of Toni Marie Gilardi (my daughter) and Daniel Toscano commentating on the parade !
I was told that the film of the parade will be shown on Channel 9 (Local Television) starting tomorrow, Tuesday till Friday.