The nation’s oldest Italian heritage parade marked another year Sunday afternoon with music, food and classic cars, but without its celebrity grand marshal.
The San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade, now in its 157th year, kicked off at Jefferson and Powell streets, made its way through North Beach along Columbus Avenue, and concluded in Washington Square outside Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Along the way, hundreds of Italian American community groups, musicians and other performers entertained thousands of spectators.
Actor Joe Mantegna, famous for his roles in “The Godfather Part III” and TV’s “Criminal Minds,” as well as the voice of Fat Tony on “The Simpsons,” was to serve as grand marshal of the parade but had to back out after learning he has COVID…