The 7th Annual Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade was held on Sunday under sunny skies and comfortable temperatures. Spectators lined Crossbay Boulevard to watch floats, community groups, bands, schools and organizations make their way down to 164th Avenue where the Red Carpet Parade performances marked the parade’s conclusion.
Opening ceremonies at the Red Carpet area included the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the singing of both the American and Italian national anthems and the traditional release of the rock doves by Johnny Christ.
Among those who participated in the parade were the NYPD Ceremonial Unit, the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe Band, St. Helen’s School, NYPD Marching Pipe Band, PS 207, Queensboro Unico, HB Kiwanis, NYS Court Officers, San Pasquale Society, Christ the King Regional High School Band, Knights of Columbus, Ave Maria Academy, Breezy Point Pipe Band, Franklin K. Lane Marching Band, Scholars Academy Sea wolves Marching Band, the St. Barnabas Girl Scout Troop, Beach Channel High School, Ozone Howard Little League, NYC Sanitation Band and S.T.A.R.S.
The 2011 honorees for the parade were: Most Reverend Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio, D.D., PhD. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, Hon. Alfonse D’Amato former US Senator, Sgt. Anthony Cesarano, President of the NYPD Columbia Association, Cav. Mitchell Weiss, NYPD Chief Clergy Liaison, Cav. Josephine A. Maietta and Angelo Venuto, Italian-American singer/songwriter.
