The 78th Annual Columbus Day Parade returns to the Upper East Side next Monday, October 10th with a grand celebration of Italian-American culture along Fifth Avenue. The yearly tradition is back again with in-person festivities for the second time since the pandemic forced a hiatus in 2020.
This year, roughly a million spectators are expected to line the parade route as bands, floats and one hundred different groups march up Fifth Avenue from East 44th Street to East 72nd Street— in what parade officials say is the the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture in the United States.
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The Columbus Day Parade kicks off on Monday morning at 11:30 am, lead by Grand Marshall Tom Golisano— the billionaire philanthropist and former candidate for governor who founded the payroll company Paychex.
“It’s an incredible feeling to join the great Italians and Italian-Americans who have served as Grand Marshal in the past,” said Golisano.
“My Italian heritage is so important to me, and it’s one of the many reasons why I am excited to be a part of this major celebration of all things Italian,” he added.
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Organizers say the Columbus Day Parade tradition in NYC dates back in 1929, when Italian-American Generoso Pope led a march from East Harlem to Columbus Circle which would formally became a celebration of Christopher Columbus and Italian heritage in 1944.
If you cant make it to see the parade in person, you can watch this years festivities from the comfort of your own home because ABC 7 will be broadcasting the parade from Noon to 3:00 pm.
A warning for drivers planning to hit the streets on Monday— there is a long list of road closures on the Upper East Side for the Columbus Day Parade.
NYPD Columbus Day Street Closures
Formation
- 43rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 44th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 45th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 46th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 47th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
Route
- 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 42nd Street
Dispersal
- 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street
- 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 73rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
Miscellaneous
- 60th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 63rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 64th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 68th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 69th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 70th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- Madison Avenue between 76th Street and 68th Street
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