Italian Festival Parade

11/25/2024

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/piave-christmas-festa

Join us on December 10

10/20/2024

I didn't get a picture this year, but it was Brenda Killian on the sign duty with me this year. Thanks, Team Meatball Brenda.

Parade NO parking signs are up thanks to Dianne Kiener and Brenda Olds Killian as I drove them from post to post.

10/20/2024

Thanks, Cecile Smith! And, DJ Tony Carter.

10/15/2024

Congratulations to the High School Marching Band Competition:
1st Place: Kenton Ridge
2nd Place: Watkins Memorial
Best Percussion: Columbus East High

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10/14/2024

The 16th Annual Italian Festival Parade was exciting and beautiful.

The Parade started out with Ohio Dominican University playing the National Anthem then South High School Columbus South HS Army JROTC lead the Knights of Columbus, and eventually Franklin Heights JROTC and Columbus Honor Flight and the San Giovanni San Giovanni Italian Dancers.

Not only were the six high school bands and one college band thrilling to see and hear, the performance by the young students and their exuberant energy was amazing. They blew me away with their talent.

The magical and sexy cars & scooters were a sight to behold! There was all kinds of horsepower, lead by 6 of City of Columbus' finest police mounted unit. The sleek Ferrari Club of America Ohio Chapter cars, the Power Circle Club Corvette Club was amazing, the whimsical art cars, the classic Chevy, Camaro, Mustang, Cadillac, a vintage Model T by the Tickin' T's, complete with Ghostbusters keeping us safe. All followed by a gaggle of Vespas making the perfect Italian touch to the parade. Some of the cars drove 7 Italian Festival Parade VIP's, lead by Grand Marshal Tom Bosco and followed by local Italian Village legends Mark & Philip.

A couple of sitting elected official gave the Italian salute with Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano and, covered in Italian colored balloons, was Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan.

We were the safest parade in the world that day with Police units from Perry Township, City of Dublin, Franklin Co Dive Team and SWAT Unit, City of Gahanna, The Ohio State University, all lead by Top Gun and Ladder 1 from Columbus Fire Division.

All-in-all, I will say I believe this to be the most beautiful parade we've ever produced for the Italian Festival Parade and the Columbus Italian Festival in 16 years.

I want thank you to all of the fantastic entries.

Thank you to:
Columbus South High School Army JROTC, Bulldog Battalion
The Knights of Columbus
San Giovanni Dancers
Fire Truck - Columbus City
Honor Flight Columbus - driven by Leo Knoblach
Ohio Dominican University Marching Band
Tom Bosco - Ferrari Club -VIP - Grand Marshal
Ferrari Club OH - driven by Giorgio Bittoni
Dino Tripodis - Master of Ceremonies
Ferrari Club OH - driven by Giorgio Bittoni
Carol Ristucci - President of LaDonna Club
George Mussi - Piave Club Past President
1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible driven by Joe Albanese
John Contino, Piave Club Parade Chairman
Camaro - driven by Walt Thieman
Joseph Ingrassia - Piave Club Events Chair
Mustang - driven by Brandy Termeer
Briggs High School Marching Band
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano
Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan
Car Art - Columbus Drives Art - That Car - Greg Phelps
Police - Columbus Mounted Unit
Police Cruiser - Franklin Co Sheriff & SWAT
Shawnee High School Marching Band
Exotic Car - Dennis Moore
Exotic Car - Sam & Linda
Tickin' T's - Rick Lindner
Black Dog Pizzeria
Police Cruiser -The Ohio State University
Columbus East High Mighty Marching Tigers
Power Circle Corvette Club
Misters of Italian Village
Franklin Heights NJROTC
Police Cruiser - Dublin, OH
Watkins Memorial Marching Warriors
Gahanna Police Cruiser & Honor Guard
U-Haul
Jonathan Alder "Pride of the Pioneers"
VespOhio
Perry Township - Police Cruiser - Chief Steve Cesaro
Ghostbuster’s 3 cars
Kenton Ridge Marching Cougar Band
Snyder's Unlimited Contracting
Ferrari Club OH -

A special thank you to our music DJ and MC Tony Carter (and his friends for the equipment) and to guest host Molly Newberry.
And to Cecile Smith for singing the National Anthem in Italian!

Congratulations to the High School Marching Band Competition:
1st Place: Kenton Ridge
2nd Place: Watkins Memorial
Best Percussion: Columbus East High

And the whole parade production wouldn't have come off with out Team Meatball:
Deb Roberts
Dave Starner
Melissa Cherry
Chris Stone
Kris Booth
Dianne Kiener
Walt Thieman
Sharon Morton
Mickie Schwartz
Stephen Slesnick
Kari Olech
Thom Crow
Leah Davis
Molly Newberry

A special thanks to my boss John Contino, Piave Club Parade Chairman. and The new guy on the block, Joe Ingrassia - Piave Club Events Chair.

Deb Roberts
Executive Parade Coordinator

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10/14/2024

🇮🇹 Today's Italian Festival Parade wouldn't be possible without our amazing sponsors!

💚🤍❤️

See you on the parade route! Don't miss all the beautiful cars, fabulous marching bands, and this year's Grand Marshal, Tom Bosco !

Grazie Mille!

The Herb Garden Sponsors

Little Johnny's Sealcoating
Jovi Toys Party Rentals and Entertainment LLC
Guy Williams and Family
George Mussi and Family
Joe & Michelle Ingrassia and Family
In Memory of Charlie Loutzenhiser

Garlic Bread Sponsors

Snyder’s Unlimited Contracting
Black Dog Pizzeria
CBC Detailing
Mike's Grill

Meatball Sponsors $500.00+

DeToto Entertainment
Doug and Kim Borror
Zeno's Bar
Forno Kitchen + Bar

Nonna’s Lasagna Sponsors $1000.00+

Columbus Piave Club
Abruzzi Club
Columbus Italian Festival
The Valley Dale Ballroom
Peroni
Silco Fire

10/14/2024

10/13/2024

Today is the Italian Festival Parade! 1:00 p.m.

Line up on Dennison from Buttles to Poplar.

Parade Route: From Dennison E on Buttles, N on High, W on Warren to end at 4th St and Columbus Italian Festival.

Come and see 7 marching bands, beautiful cars and local supporting business. You'll enjoy!

Deb Roberts

10/12/2024

The Columbus Italian Festival is set to transform the capital city into a vibrant celebration of Italian culture this weekend, beginning Friday night at Saint J

10/12/2024

tomorrow's the big day! See you at the Italian Festival Parade! 1:00 p.m. Line up at noon on Dennison between Buttles & Poplar, parade route from Dennison to Buttles to High to Warren to Fourth.
Parade on!

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10/11/2024

We know the NO Parking signs on Dennison, Buttles, High, and Warren seem a nuance for Sunday parking, but the Columbus Italian Festival has a parade coming through with 7 marching bands. Thus, the street must be cleared of cars.
The City has warned that they will start ticketing and towing very early Sunday morning. We're sorry for the inconvenience for this. But, please come out and watch these high school bands in competition. Parade starts at 1:00 p.m. at Dennison Ave/Buttles, goes N on High E on Warren and ends at 4th.

10/11/2024

Meet the 6th HS Marching Band in a Series of 7! Marching in the Italian Festival Parade Sunday October 13th at 1pm. Route: from Buttles/Dennison to High to Warren to 4th:

Columbus East High Mighty Marching Tigers
Columbus, Ohio 43205

Columbus East High School Marching Band — Italian Festival Parade 2022@ColumbusCitySchoolsOhio

10/11/2024

The banners are up. The parade route is mapped. The festival opens tomorrow.

See you Sunday for the 16th Annual Italian Festival Parade !!

10/10/2024

Tomorrow's the big day! 🎊🇮🇹 opens at 5 PM, and we can't wait to welcome you all.

Here's what you need to know:
• Gates open: 5 PM
• Location: 168 E. Lincoln Street Columbus, Ohio, 43215
• Parking: Parking is available at the Columbus State Community College Indoor Parking Garage for free and includes a roundtrip shuttle
• Don't forget cash for some vendors!
• Bring your appetite and dancing shoes!

If you haven't already purchase your tickets in advance and skip the lines at the gates: https://www.columbusitalianfestival.com/tickets/

See you tomorrow for a weekend of Italian delights!

10/10/2024

Meet the 5th HS Marching Band in a Series of 7! Marching in the Italian Festival Parade Sunday October 13th at 1pm. Route: from Buttles/Dennison to High to Warren to 4th:

Shawnee High School Marching Band
Springfield OH

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/BAipQcXAQv88kX8S/?mibextid=jmPrMh

10/10/2024

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10/09/2024

Meet the 4th HS Marching Band in a Series of 7! Marching in the Italian Festival Parade Sunday October 13th at 1pm. Route: from Buttles/Dennison to High to Warren to 4th:
Briggs High School Marching Band
Columbus City Schools Ohio.