I cannot wait. The Annual Italian Heritage Parade will hit the streets of San Francisco on Sunday, October 11, starting from 12pm, in the historical Italian district of North Beach. Last year, on October 12, almost 90 floats took part in one the largest Italian Heritage parades ever recorded. This year we will see the greatest participation ever.
(right: Nicola Luisotti, musical director of San Francisco Opera, with his wife Rita; black and white photos courtesy of Asher Berry)
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, 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.
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.
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 (below). Discover here who is this year’s Queen of the Parade. Ci vediamo alla Parata!
