NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) –New Yorkers and visitors to the city lined Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue for New York City’s annual
Columbus Day parade.
Monday’s parade, which ran from 44th Street to 72nd Street, was organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation. It’s billed as the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture.
As CBS 2’s Emily Smith reported, an estimated million people were on hand to watch from the sidelines.
It was also a major political showcase less than a month before Election Day.
The marchers include Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and his Republican rival, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Cuomo is seeking re-election and has a commanding lead in the polls. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who frequently touts his Italian heritage, also marched.
The festivities feature scores of matching bands and Italian civic groups. The first parade was held in Manhattan in 1929.
