Albany’s 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in Upstate New York, recognizing the contributions and the heritage of Italian-Americans, in conjunction with the national holiday celebrating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.

The Parade steps of at 1pm on Saturday, October 11, from Ontario Street and Western Ave.  It will then continue down Western over Robin Street and into Washington Park.  Leading this year’s parade as Honorary Grand Marshal is Albany’s Fire Chief Robert C. Forezzi, Sr.  After the parade, an authentic Italian Festival is underway by the Washington Park Lake House with food, music, dancing, crafters, cultural displays and even a gondola in Washington Park Lake.  The festival will feature a new Zona Bambini — a Kids Zone — where children will be able to make masks, sing Italian songs, color, learn how to play Italian card games. There will be bocce and soccer demonstrations, pony rides, Roman Riding demonstrations and a fire dance!

The 2008 festival features a special tribute to Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, under the direction of Albany’s Park Playhouse “Sweet Dreams” concert.  There will be a special performance of the all-new Henry Hudson and Friends Puppet Show, from the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sponsors of Albany’s 17th Annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival include the Lia Auto Group, HSBC, Times Union, the City of Albany, Albany’s Italian American Community Center, West Albany Italian Benevolent Society and Roma Intangible Lodge #215 Order of Sons of Italy in America, with the support of many businesses and community organizations in the Capital Region.