Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood is gearing up for its annual Columbus Day Parade, stepping off at noon on Monday along Mayfield Road. Leading the procession as grand marshal is Mike Fratello, the former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach who went on to a long career as an NBA broadcaster.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on October 12, according to orderisda.org, and organizers expect it to draw thousands of people to the neighborhood, as reported by FOX 8 Cleveland WJW. Cleveland19 similarly reported that Little Italy would welcome thousands Monday afternoon for the celebration. The day begins earlier than the parade itself, with Columbus Day Mass set for 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church on Mayfield Road, per orderisda.org.
Floats, Vintage Cars and the Orlando Bread Truck
FOX 8 Cleveland WJW reports the parade will feature marching bands, floats, vintage cars and the Orlando bread truck, a recurring fixture of the celebration. Organizers add that the lineup will include vendors and Italian and Italian American food alongside elaborate floats and vintage cars, per orderisda.org’s account of this year’s event.
Fratello’s turn as grand marshal continues a tradition of tapping notable figures from Cleveland sports and civic life to lead the march. He formerly coached the Cavaliers before moving into broadcasting, according to the FOX 8 Cleveland WJW report.
A Parade Rooted in Family and Heritage
Judge Basil M. Russo, who serves as parade chairman and national president of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America, said Little Italy is where families gather each year to celebrate their ancestors’ heritage, per FOX 8 Cleveland WJW. Russo also said the parade honors ancestors’ perseverance and allows the next generation to share in that history, the station reported…