145: quite a number for San Francisco’s Annual Italian Heritage Parade. On Sunday October 13, I will have the honor (and the pleasure) to take part in the 145th celebration of Italian culture in the City on the Bay. In North Beach, the Italian traditional neighborhood, people will be partying all over the week-end.
We have actually started partying this afternoon at City Hall (and later on at the Consulate) together with this year's Queen Isabella and Her Court. Thanks to David Chiu, the President of the Board of Supervisors, and to Angela Alioto, former President of the Board, for celebrating with us. Also, my gratitude goes to the team of the Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri that has just reached San Francisco from all over the US and Italy to march along with us. You can spot a few of them behind the Court in the pic above.
(with David Chiu at City Hall today)
The Parade is the City’s oldest civic event and the nation’s oldest Italian-American parade since it was established in 1868: yes, older than New York’s! And this year the Parade is promising to be bigger, better and more colorful than ever, as it will be part of the celebrations for 2013 the Year of Italian Culture in the US. Highlights include dozens of handcrafted parade floats featuring Bay Area businesses, community groups, and Italian organizations; local high school Italian clubs and marching bands; festive open-air dining and Italian wine and food specials at North Beach restaurants lining the route; performances by a variety of traditional Italian musicians and performance artists; and special appearances by Bay Area and Italian-American celebrities.
This year for me the Parade will mean a considerable upgrade. Last year I drove my own fantastic Fiat 500 - true, the best available City car. But his time thanks to the Ferrari Club of San Francisco I’ll ride on a gorgeous Ferrari sports car!
The Parade winds its way from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach. More exactly, action begins at 12:30 pm at the foot of Jefferson and Stockton Streets, proceeds south on Columbus Avenue, and ends in Washington Square in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Parade viewing is available throughout the route. Join me, vi aspetto!