L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e M o n t h s t a r t e d o n Saturday, October 1st with the tradition- a l W a s h i n g t o n S q u a r e L i g h t i n g a n d a block party at the San Fran- c i s c o I t a l i a n A t h l e t i c Club. The Italian flag was raised at the SFIAC building to honor contributions of I t a l i a n A m e r i c a n s t o S a n Francisco. T h a t h a p p e n e d r i g h t before that same building, St. Peter and Paul's Church, and W a s h i n g t o n S q u a r e p a r k were lit up in red, white, and green. A great moment to come together as a communi- t y , j u s t o n e w e e k b e f o r e the 154th Italian Heritage Parade. In 2021, the Parade was the first major parade to take place in the city since the onset of the COVID-19 pan- demic. While full celebra- tions returned back then, this year's Italian Heritage Parade is scheduled to hit the streets of North Beach on Sunday, October 9. Organizers expect the upcoming parade to host vibrant crowds, once again on the same weekend as Fleet Week. The inaugural parade took place in 1868 in San Francis- co's downtown, featuring bands and marching units of Italian fraternal organiza- tions, including the Garibaldi Guard, Swiss Guards, and Lafayette Guards. According to the 1940 census, 18.5% of all European Immigrants were Italian, the largest in the city. In the middle of the century (1942), the celebra- tion became part of a non- profit corporation known as Columbus Day Celebra- tion, Inc., whereas, in 1994, it turned into the Italian Her- itage Parade following the effort to celebrate the accom- plishments and the culture of all Italians and Italian-Amer- icans. Nevertheless, North Beach has been San Francis- co's Little Italy and histori- cally been home to a large Italian American population. Throughout the years, the parade has remained a sign of the vitality of the Italian communities in the Bay Area. One of the main traditions of the parade is the Queen and her Court. The Court of Queen Isabella consists of amazing Italian-American young women who uphold important Italian traditions while exemplifying the values of Italian Heritage. Addition- ally, the Court represents the Board of Directors, the Ital- ian Heritage Parade, and the l o c a l I t a l i a n c o m m u n i t y throughout the year at vari- ous Italian functions and events. The Court of Queen Isabella is a focal point of the parade. Being a member of the court provides an oppor- t u n i t y t o c e l e b r a t e t h e a c h i e v e m e n t s o f I t a l i a n - Americans in our community and to educate people about the multi-faceted Italian cul- t u r e . H a r d w o r k , f a m i l y , f a i t h , a n d l o v e o f l i f e a r e important parts of Italian culture and heritage, that's also why the process to be part of the Court consists of interviews with a panel of judges. They look for grace, c o m m u n i t y i n v o l v e m e n t , participation in the Italian community, speaking skills, and commitment to the Ital- ian heritage. As the members of the Court of Queen Isabel- la serve one year term, they are meant to attend and rep- r e s e n t t h e c o m m u n i t y i n many festivities throughout the following months. Bill Mastrangelo, Presi- dent of SF Italian Heritage Parade, announced Randy DeMartini and Larry Mazzo- la, Jr. as parade Grand Mar- s h a l s . " W e a r e p r o u d t o honor Randy DeMartini and Larry Mazzola, Jr. as our 2022 Grand Marshals for their longtime support of the Italian-American community in San Francisco," he said. "All are welcome to North B e a c h a n d F i s h e r m a n ' s Wharf to support our local businesses and celebrate the c o m m u n i t y w i t h another buona festa." Randy DeMartini is Exec- utive Director of the Salesian Boys & Girls Club, an anchor of the North Beach commu- nity, which provides after- school activities, enrichment programs and services, and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Mazzola Jr. is Business M a n a g e r o f L o c a l U A 3 8 , President of the San Francis- co Building and Construction Trades Council and is part of a proud Italian-American tra- dition of fighting for working m e n a n d w o m e n i n S a n Francisco. "My grandmother was born and raised in North Beach, and I am also lucky to say I am a lifelong San Fran- ciscan," Mazzola said. "I am proud of my Italian heritage and proud of the 2,600 Local 38 members I represent and of the things we do together to give back to San Francis- cans." Mr DeMartini lived and worked in the neighborhood for a long time. "I love North Beach and I believe it's the greatest district of the city. To me, the Italian Heritage Parade is the most special day of the year. It's when everyone comes out, families and friends, to celebrate our heritage." And continued: "I love seeing people on the street with their chairs, all the vendors, and the people waving at the crowds walking a l o n g C o l u m b u s s t r e e t . " Touching on his memories, Mr DeMartini said: "When I was a child, the parade was m a i n l y r e l a t e d t o t h e fundraising for St. Peter and Paul Church. We used the schoolyard and the one thing I r e m e m b e r i s t h a t t h e r e weren't as many people inter- ested in attending as we see today. In the last ten years, we've seen lots of excitement around this day and people w h o l e f t t h e c i t y a r e n o w coming back to San Francis- c o t o b e p a r t o f i t . T h o s e same kids I knew are now in their 40s and 50s, they bring their children so they can all celebrate this day." T h e P a r a d e b e g i n s a t 12:30 pm at the foot of Jef- ferson and Powell Streets in Fisherman's Wharf, proceeds south through North Beach on Columbus Avenue and ends in Washington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church. Parade viewing is available throughout the entire route. Among other events by the Italian Cultural Insti- t u t e i n S a n F r a n c i s c o (IIC), some are strictly con- nected to the celebration of Italian Heritage Month. On October 5th at Innovit, they will host the screening of a documentary exploring the places where Pier Paolo Pasolini lived and worked in his youth - LA ROSADA E L'ARDILUT: Nel Friuli del giovane Pasolini. On October 11th, in collab- oration with the Italian Com- munity Services, there'll be an event featuring legendary Italian folk musician and singer-songwriter Eugenio Bennato at the intimate Club Fugazi in North Beach. Liter- ature will be the spotlight of some events at the Litquake Festival: on October 15th, a conversation with Veronica R a i m o , T h e G i r l a t t h e Door, as well as an event with Italian-speaking Swiss Authors Fabiano Alborghetti a n d F a b i o A n d i n a . M o r e comes with author Dacia Maraini who will talk about Italian language and young people on October 20th, and a concert by Italian singer- songwriter Diodato, winner of the 70th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, in concert with violinist Rodri- go D'Erasmo, on October 2 1 s t . M o r e d e t a i l s c a n b e f o u n d a t t h e I I C website https://iicsanfrancis- co.esteri.it/ 2 0 2 2 I t a l i a n H e r i t a g e M o n t h i n S a n Francisco: a full agenda of events not to be missed SERENA PERFETTO Happy participants to the 2021 parade (Photo: Italian Heritage Parade) SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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