Photos: Bensonhurst’s Columbus Day Parade Brings Community Together

Although mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio may have used the occasion to tout his Italian heritage and the contributions of New York City’s Italian community, Saturday’s Columbus Day parade on 18th Avenue brought together thousands of people from all different backgrounds for a colorful neighborhood celebration.

Organized by the Federation of Italian-American Organizations, the 32nd annual parade marched down 18th Avenue from 61st Street to 84th Street, ending near the historic New Utrecht church.

Thousands of people watched from the sidewalk, waving Italian flags regardless of their ethnicity, as hundreds more paraded by, representing various schools, ethnic and community organizations.

Next year, parade organizers hope to march a little further down 18th Avenue, passing Il Centro, a new Italian community center that FIAO aims to complete by that time.