Columbus Day Marches On

Among the dignitaries and members of the Italian-American community gathered to place a wreath to honor Christopher Columbus at the conclusion of the 20th annual Columbus Day Parade sponsored by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens (FIAOQ) were (l. to r.): Tom Bullaro, owner of Bullaro Travel Agency, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella (Mike and Theresa Meoni), state Senator George Onorato, Parade Chairman Jerry Iannece, Italian Vice Consul Giovanni Favilli, St. John's University Vice President for Community Relations Joseph Sciame, 2005 parade grand marshal, Mr. Varriale and John Ciafone with a young relative. As the 20th annual Columbus Day Parade sponsored by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens (FIAOQ) wound its way through Astoria and Long Island City from the Kaufman Astoria Studios to the Columbus Triangle at 31st Street and Astoria Boulevard, delighting onlookers and participants alike, lowering gray

clouds began to break, revealing a blue sky and sunshine to add a flourish to the concluding moments of the event.

The parade color guard was made up of members of the city Department of Corrections' Columbia Association. Leading the line of march was this year's Grand Marshal, Andrew Cuomo, former Secretary of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development during the administration of President Bill Clinton and candidate for New York state attorney general

in the upcoming November 7 election. As is their custom, Christopher Columbus and his sponsor and financial backer, Queen Isabella of Spain (Mike and Theresa Meoni) joined in the march. Parade Chairman Jerry Iannece, Esq., chairman of Community Board 11, Bayside, marched along with Cuomo. Iannece's sister, Angie Iannece Markham served as parade coordinator executive director; Julie Bucich was assistant director. Federation President Joseph DiPietro also marched at the head of the parade.

The parade began with an invocation delivered at the stepping off point by Deacon Giacomo Panessa. A 1962 Buick convertible driven by Angelo Bonsangue and with

Thomas M. Murphy, president of the Antique Car Owners of Queens aboard, followed the color guard, made up of members of the city Corrections Department Columbia Association. Marchers included a unit of the Communita' Italiana Della Parrchia di San Giuseppe, the Astoria Italia Soccer Club, Aviation H.S. Air Force Junior R.O.T.C., the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Sports Program, the Dutch Kills Civic Association and the Fiat 500 Fan Club of New York. Elected officials in attendance included state Senator George Onorato, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., his son, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and Councilmember Eric Gioia. Also participating was Italian Vice Consul Giovanni Favilli.

Thomas Murphy, Antique Car Owners of Queens president, at the wheel of the black 1962 Buick convertible that has been a parade fixture for many years. The parade route led north on 36th Street from the Studios to 35th Avenue, east on 35th Avenue to Steinway Street, north on Steinway Street to 30th Avenue, west on 30th Avenue to 33rd Street, north on 33rd Street to Astoria Boulevard, and west on Astoria Boulevard to the Columbus Triangle. At the Columbus Triangle, the dignitaries present placed a wreath to honor the 15th-century explorer.

(L. to r.): Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Parade Chairman Jerry Iannece and State Senator George Onorato. (L. to r.): Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, New York Attorney General Candidate Andrew Cuomo, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Parade Chairman Jerry Iannece, City Councilmember Eric Gioia and Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens President Joseph DiPietro. Christopher Columbus (l.) and Queen Isabella (r.) carry the banner of the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, sponsoring organization of the 20th annual Astoria Columbus Day Parade. The Long Island City H.S. Army Junior R.O.T.C. was one of some 26 organizations to march in the 20th annual Columbus Day Parade October 7. New York Attorney General candidate Andrew Cuomo was a tight fit inside one of the Fiat Italian automobiles that the Fiat 500 Fan Club of New York provided for the parade. Cuomo's daughter, Tara, looked on. Captain Christopher Tamola, 114th Police Precinct executive officer, spoke to parade participants and spectators from the reviewing stand at Columbus Triangle.