(The Carabinieri at the Italian Heritage Parade last year)
San Francisco’s Annual Italian Heritage Parade will hit the streets on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in North Beach, the historic Italian district of San Francisco. Last year, on October 12, almost 90 floats took part in one the largest Italian Heritage parades ever recorded. This year we would like to see the greatest participation ever. Therefore I’m pleased to announce that the Italian community is extending a special invitation to all the Italian-American organizations in Northern California and to all Italophiles to join the parade itself! What a great opportunity to expose your organization’s brand or message – and there is no registration cost. I hope that you will consider joining me in the parade and showing your Italian-American pride.
Every year the parade is a great day for the Italian community in San Francisco, a city with Italian roots and a warm Italian heart, North Beach, as well as for the innumerables friends and allies of Italy. They process among a huge cheering crowd from Fisherman’s Wharf to Washington Square, under San Francisco’s October blazing sun, with the Blue Angels performing air acrobatics in the sky. Everywhere we see smiles, laughters, applauses, songs, cheers and the general feeling of sharing an exalting community event. In order to take an active part in the parade, you must register HERE by September 10, 2015. Tony Passanisi is at your disposal should you have any questions at tony@passanisi.com.
Who will be the Queen of North Beach this year? (Photos in black and white by Asher Berry)
Did you know that the parade is San Francisco’s oldest civic event, having been established in 1868? The festivity is also the nation’s oldest Italian-American parade and community celebration, and attracts an average of 400,000 tourists and Bay Area residents each year. For me, this is definitely the one of the most exhilarating moments of my life as Consul General in San Francisco, as the photo below shows.
Believe me, I am not the only one getting a kick out it: look below at the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Joe Russoniello near his wife Moira, having great fun as Grand Marshall of the Parade in 2013. As you understand, the Parade is not a moment to take oneself too seriously.
The Heritage Parade boasts intricate handmade floats, as well as traditional Italian musicians, marching bands and open-air dining. Representatives of Italy’s Carabinieri Association also march along. Click here for a slideshow of last year’s festivities. Ci vediamo alla Parata!