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Former Bridgeport Mayor Leonard Paoletta, now a resident of Easton, has been named grand marshal of the annual parade.
The Council of Italian-American Societies of Greater Bridgeport, headed by Bridgeport resident Chris Caruso, made the selection.
“I am quite flattered, there’s no question about that,” Paoletta said. “I think the whole tradition of the Columbus Day events here in Bridgeport is to instill and inspire Italian-Americans about their heritage and to reach out to non-Italians to share our wonderful heritage. I believe continuing that tradition is particularly important for young people so they can think about their heritage more favorably.”
Paoletta has been actively involved in promoting Italian culture in the region as the founder and president of BACIO, which he began in 2003. Bacio is the Italian word for kiss, but it's acronym stands for Bridgeport Area Cultural Italian Organization. Its mission is preserving, enhancing and fostering Italian roots, culture, heritage and traditions.
The Columbus Day weekend is one of the Park City’s seminal celebrations. “Putting together the parade is really a big involvement, but I want this year’s parade to make an imprint,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the parade and we’ve had some great ones, but I would like to see our parade feature both the Italy of yesterday and the Italy of today."
The Columbus Day Parade & Celebration, steps off from Wayne Street and Jewett Avenue at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in Bridgeport’s North End. It will then proceed south on Wayne Street to Madison Avenue, finishing at the Central High School parking lot.
An Italian Street Festa will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Madison Avenue between Wheeler Avenue and Beers Street, with vendors selling pizza fritta, pasta, sausage and peppers, Italian ices, and other Italian dishes as well as a cannoli-eating contest, featuring Luigi’s Italian Pastries of Bridgeport.
Before the parade, a show highlighting the Italian culture will take place on stage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Micalizzi’s Italian Ices, 712 Madison Ave.
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