True to their Italian roots, North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf will be the site of the 147th Italian Heritage Parade, starting at 12:30pm this Sunday, October 11th. This year's parade will feature 93 units of bands, marchers, vehicles, floats, dancers, equestrians, and more—the largest number of entries ever.
The parade route starts at The Embarcadero and Jefferson Street and continues west on Jefferson, south on Leavenworth Street to Columbus Avenue and south on Columbus past Washington Square Park, then back up Stockton Street. Many North Beach cafes are selling prime seating along the route.
San Francisco's first Columbus Day celebration—the oldest in the nation—was held downtown in 1869, and included a parade featuring bands, marching units and floats honoring the accomplishments of Italian-Americans. In recent years, though, Columbus Day and its celebrations have been criticized and even protested for insensitivity to native peoples. Those of Italian heritage, however, say they think of the parade differently.
"Every time I go to North Beach, it brings back the memories of going to Nonna’s house," said Tony Passanisi, president of the Columbus Day Celebration Committee, which puts on the parade. "North Beach was like Little Italy. To us, that brings back all the memories. My wife and I were married at Saints Peter & Paul. We had our reception at Bimbo’s. it brings back that old feeling of family. Everybody sits together; they sit outside; they have food. It reminds you of where you're from."
Bay Area politicians, police, businesses, schools and more will participate in the festivities, which will last about two hours. Passanisi said the staging area streets should be closed by 10am, and bus stops on Powell between the Embarcadero and Beach Street are expected to close. No parking is expected on both sides of North Point Street from the Embarcadero to Mason Street.
With the parade on Sunday, the North Beach Bazaar all weekend, and Fleet Week in full swing, "this whole next week’s going to be wild in the city," Passanisi said. "It’s a good time to be in San Francisco. It’s a lot of fun."
As always, the parade will spotlight plenty of military marchers and bands, including the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy and the 1st Marine Division Band. "To hear that Marine marching band is unbelievable," Passanisi said. "They do a breakout that drops your jaw. The Marine band gets funky. It blows your mind."
This year's parade grand marshals are Franc D'Ambrosio and Mario Alioto. D'Ambrosio played the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Tony Award-winning musical The Phantom of the Opera for more than 2,300 performances. He and his partner, Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano, are both of Italian heritage. Alioto has been a member of the San Francisco Giants' front office since 1983, and is active in the community.
