L'Italo-Americano

T h e S a n F r a n - c i s c o I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e P a r a d e i s c o m i n g b a c k t o the streets of San Francisco on Sunday, October 10th, marking its 153rd edition since the late 1800s. The Italian Heritage Parade is n o w c o n s i d e r e d t h e f i r s t major parade to take place in the city since the COVID-19 p a n d e m i c h i t a n d w i l l happen at the same time of t h e S a n F r a n c i s c o F l e e t Week. It is also considered t h e l o n g e s t c o n t i n u o u s l y r u n n i n g I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e Parade in the United States a n d c e l e b r a t e s t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d c u l t u r e o f a l l I t a l i a n - Americans. The inaugural parade took p l a c e i n 1 8 6 8 i n S a n F r a n c i s c o ' s d o w n t o w n , f e a t u r i n g t h e b a n d s a n d marching units of Italian f r a t e r n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g t h e G a r i b a l d i Guard, Swiss Guards and L a f a y e t t e G u a r d s . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e 1 9 4 0 c e n s u s , 1 8 . 5 % o f a l l European Immigrants were Italian, the largest in the city. In the middle of the century ( 1 9 4 2 ) , t h e c e l e b r a t i o n became part of a non-profit c o r p o r a t i o n k n o w n a s "Columbus Day Celebration, Inc.," whereas, in 1994, it t u r n e d i n t o t h e I t a l i a n Heritage Parade following the effort to celebrate the accomplishments and the culture of all Italians and I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n s . Nevertheless, North Beach h a s b e e n S a n F r a n c i s c o ' s L i t t l e I t a l y , a n d h a s historically been home to a l a r g e I t a l i a n A m e r i c a n population. Throughout the y e a r s , t h e p a r a d e h a s r e m a i n e d a s i g n o f t h e v i t a l i t y o f t h e I t a l i a n c o m m u n i t i e s i n t h e B a y Area. I n 2 0 2 0 , t h e I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n c o m m u n i t y had to deal with a different setup. It was the year during which all events in the way we know them went virtual. S o d i d t h e S a n F r a n c i s c o Italian Heritage Parade and F e s t i v a l . T h e c o m m i t t e e behind the event promoted a series of social distanced and virtual events celebrating Italian Heritage Month. The main goal was to support Italian and Italian-American b u s i n e s s e s h i t b y t h e p a n d e m i c : p e o p l e w e r e encouraged to order in from your favorite Italian place and have it delivered, pick up food to eat in the park or enjoy the outdoor seating at one of the many parklets that opened in North Beach last year. T h i s y e a r ' s v i b e i s completely different, it feels m o r e l i k e a n I t a l i a n a n d I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n R i n a s c i m e n t o , w h e r e t h e r e s i l i e n c e s h o w n f o r 1 8 months will pay off, for both organizers and attendees. " T h e I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e P a r a d e i s a u n i q u e S a n F r a n c i s c o e v e n t a n d w i l l serve as a big boost to our t o u r i s m a n d e c o n o m i c recovery efforts this Fall," said Joe D'Alessandro, S a n F r a n c i s c o T r a v e l president and CEO. "With e v e r y m a j o r c i v i c a n d cultural event that comes back to the City, we have more inspiration to rally the c o m m u n i t y t o g e t h e r a n d support each other." S a f e t y a n d i n - p e r s o n events are the priorities for e v e r y o n e i n v o l v e d . T h e p a r a d e , s t a r t i n g a r o u n d 1 2 : 3 0 p m a t t h e f o o t o f J e f f e r s o n a n d S t o c k t o n S t r e e t s i n F i s h e r m a n ' s W h a r f , w i l l e n d i n Washington Square in front o f S t s . P e t e r a n d P a u l C h u r c h . I t i s t h e b e s t opportunity to watch Italian a n d I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n d i g n i t a r i e s , m u s i c , p e r f o r m a n c e s , f l o a t s a n d representatives of Italian and I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d businesses. B i l l M a s t r a n g e l o , P r e s i d e n t o f t h e I t a l i a n Heritage Parade, won't hide his enthusiasm around what to expect from the event. "We're happy to be the first p a r a d e t o b e b a c k i n S a n Francisco. With the guidance o f t h e c i t y a n d o t h e r a g e n c i e s , w e f e e l w e c a n celebrate our Italian heritage safely in North Beach again." And continues, "This event covers about a mile and a half. We have the ability to have the crowd spread out a n d d i s t a n c e . " A b o u t t h e relevance of the event for the b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y , P r e s i d e n t M a s t r a n g e l o s t r e s s e d h o w " T h i s y e a r m o r e t h a n e v e r , i t i s important to support our l o c a l s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s i n North Beach. We're excited to see a great response from t h e c o m m u n i t y - t h e S a n Francisco Italian Athletic C l u b q u i c k l y s o l d o u t i t s s e a t i n g s o w e e n c o u r a g e everyone to book restaurant reservations now, or if you want to bring your own food, think about where you'd like t o v i e w t h e p a r a d e . W e ' l l have plenty of space along Columbus Avenue, in the w h a r f a n d W a s h i n g t o n Square." Among the things that will happen this year, Graziano C e r c h i a i , o w n e r o f S F ' s famous Bimbo's 365 Club, will be honored as parade G r a n d M a r s h a l i n recognition of the club's 90th anniversary. Recognized by San Francisco Heritage as one of the city's 100 Legacy B a r s a n d R e s t a u r a n t s , B i m b o ' s o n C o l u m b u s Avenue is run by Graziano and his sons Michael and Gino. In his own words, Mr. Cerchiai shared with us that: "It's an honor to be part of this great Italian tradition here in North Beach, in our b e a u t i f u l c i t y o f S a n Francisco. Viva Italia. Viva America." A m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , starting on Friday, October 8th, the official kick-off will see the Washington Square Lighting, with a block party at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. A few days earlier, on Sunday, October 3rd, the Madonna del Lume High Mass will be followed by a small parade in front of S.S. Peter and Paul Church, ending at the Fishermen and Seamen's Memorial Chapel f o r t h e b l e s s i n g o f t h e Fishing Fleet. During the months before the parade, organizations a n d b u s i n e s s e s g e t r e a d y w i t h h a n d c r a f t e d f l o a t s celebrating San Francisco B a y A r e a b u s i n e s s e s , c o m m u n i t y g r o u p s , a n d Italian organizations, as well as noted Italian-Americans, l o c a l h i g h s c h o o l I t a l i a n clubs, and marching bands. This year is no exception. One of the parade's focal points is for sure Q u e e n Isabella and her Court, an o u t s t a n d i n g I t a l i a n - American young woman who represents the ideals of the c o m m u n i t y f o r a n e n t i r e year. Hard work, family and religion, and a love of life are what a panel of judges look f o r w h e n i t c o m e s t o choosing Queen I sabel l a. They usually look for poise, p e r s o n a l i t y , g r a c e , c o m m u n i t y i n v o l v e m e n t , and pride in her heritage. Italy's Consul General in S a n F r a n c i s c o , S e r g i o S t r o z z i , a l s o s e n t h i s r e m a r k s o n t h e e v e n t : " C e l e b r a t i n g t h e I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e M o n t h m e a n s c e l e b r a t i n g I t a l y , I t a l i a n communities in all Countries a n d S t a t e s a n d t h e i r outstanding contribution to c i v i l , s o c i a l , c u l t u r a l a n d h u m a n p r o g r e s s . I t a l s o m e a n s h o n o r i n g a n internationally recognized unique culture: Italy with its m i l l e n n i a l h i s t o r y , m o n u m e n t s , a r t , environment, and creativity, is on the top of the UNESCO Heritage Sites Countries list (58 sites)." And continues: "The Italian cultural heritage is also an outstanding and e s s e n t i a l p a r t o f S a n F r a n c i s c o C i t y ' s c u l t u r a l heritage itself. From the first immigrant communities of workers, seamen, fishermen, businessmen departed from Tuscany or Sicily, to great f i g u r e s l i k e A m a d e o G i a n n i n i , J o s e p h A l i o t o , George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Italians have largely contributed to build, r e b u i l d a n d m a k e S a n Francisco the splendid city t h a t i t i s t o d a y . " C o n s u l Strozzi concluded: "In the pursuit of cultural diversity it is therefore crucial for San Francisco to boost the Italian cultural and social heritage and to make it flourish also through the Italian and Italo- American Community and its events and festivities. The Italian Heritage Month and t h e N o r t h B e a c h neighborhood are also an o u t s t a n d i n g e l e m e n t f o r a t t r a c t i n g t o u r i s m a t international level. Buona f e s t a o f I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e Month to Italians, Americans and all their friends!" THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano The Italian Heritage Parade returns to San Francisco, bringing fun, celebration, and tradition back to North Beach SERENA PERFETTO The Italian Heritage Parade returns this year to the streets of North Beach (Photo courtesy of the Italian Heritage Parade) SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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