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COLUMBUS DAY
Pictured here, at the 1999 Italian Tribune
Columbus Day Parade in Newark, New Jersey,
is Grand Marshall Phil Rizzuto, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
in Cooperstown after an outstanding career as the star shortstop for the New York Yankees.
Grand Marshall Phil Rizzuto is surrounded by
lovely ladies
at the 1999 Italian Tribune Columbus Day Parade. On his left is his wife, Cora.
On his right, is Josephine Alagna, the wife of Italian Tribune publisher Ace
Alagna.
For nearly thirty years,
the Italian Tribune sponsored the annual Christopher Columbus Day Parade, held
in the Italian American neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. Each year, more than a quarter
of a million people lined Newark’s Bloomfield Avenue to watch beautiful floats, expert
marching bands, proud community organizations, and thousands of marchers. The parade
was
visited annually by celebrities in the entertainment world as well as major political
figures, both local and national. The following is a
list of past Grand Marshals for our Columbus Day Parade:
1971
Joseph Sivolella
1972 Donato Rizzolo
1973 Phil Brito
1974 Peter W. Rodino, Jr.
1975 Don Francello
1976 M/M Bob Hope
1977 Giorgio Chinaglia
1978 Tony Galento
1979 Joe DiMaggio
1980 Connie Francis
1981 Danny Aiello
1982 Bobby Rydell
1983 Dom DeLuise
1984 Frankie Avalon |
1985
Sergio Franchi
1986 Al Martino
1987 Joe Piscopo
1988 Jerry Vale
1989 Tommy Lasorda
1990 Tony LoBianco
1991 Tony Bennett
1992 Joe Pesci
1993 Vic Damone
1994 Fred Travalena
1995 Danny Aiello
1996 Pat Cooper
1997 Joe Bologna
1999 Phil Rizzuto |
The Italian Tribune
no longer sponsors the parade in Newark. Instead, two events take its
place. The first is the annual Columbus Celebration Banquet, to be held at one of
New Jersey's finest banquet facilities. At this dinner, a number of local citizens are
honored with presentations such as "Italian American of the Year," "The
Community Service Award," and "The Columbus Queen." In addition, there will
be a celebrity honoree, who will be presented with the prestigious Columbus Award due to
their efforts on behalf of the Italian American community. The second event
is a weekend Italian American festival in celebration of Christopher
Columbus to be held in Atlantic City. Watch the Italian Tribune for more
news about these events.
At each of the Columbus fundraising
occasions, many local and national celebrities and political figures are joined by the
families and friends of the honorees, as well as by anyone who wishes to help support the
Columbus Celebration.
We welcome your support and suggestions pertaining to these events. Please
feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to help.
For information about the Columbus activities: contact Joan Alagna or
Marion Fortunato at (973) 485-6000.
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