From All Over, They Came For Columbus Day ‘Saluto’

SS. JOHN NEUMANN-MARIA GORETTI students marched and cheered down Broad Street to honor Columbus Day.

SONS OF ITALY and host of other Phila. Italian societies honored all provinces of their mother country with stylish, eye-catching traditional banners as they paraded from Moore Street south to Marconi Plaza.

FAMILY DODGE continued its 52-year tradition of donating car occupied by Columbus Day Parade Marshal Bobby Rydell and Jerry Blavat “The Geator” as they cruised down Broad Street.

COUNCILMAN Kenyatta Johnson and wife Dawn Chavous showed up in impeccable Italian style, in a Maserati.

IMPRESSIVE phalanx of dignitaries lined up to lead march down Broad Street from Moore at start of S. Phila.’s Columbus Day Parade.

REPUBLICANS Councilman David Oh, Controller candidate Terry Tracy and John Katrina look forward to Columbus Day Parade.

“PRE-PARADE” on Columbus Day is at Chiarella’s on E. Passyunk Avenue, where movers and shakers snack on Italian breakfast treats and hobnob inside and outside.

S. PHILLY legal ace Vince DeFino, left, and Andy Miller shared breakfast with State Rep. Maria Donatucci.

ITALIAN Heritage Festival at Marconi Plaza drew large and lively crowd.

PLAY-BY-PLAY coverage of Parade was broadcast by, from left, 6ABC’s Alicia Vitarelli, Marshal Bobby Rydell, Jerry Blavat and Pete Ciarrocchi.

STATE REP. Maria Donatucci shares happy moment with Tom Kelly & wife.

LEGAL LION Vince Giusini was delighted to meet Miss Phila., Temple student Francesca Ruscio.

SENIOR Judge Anthony DeFino says hello to State Rep. Maria Donatucci at parade’s commencement.

“NICE WHEELS,” Councilman Mark Squilla tells colleague Kenyatta Johnson and wife as former Controller Jonathan Saidel grins merrily.

GIRARD ESTATES civic leader Jodi Della Barba hangs out St. Monica’s pastor Father Kelly and Chiarella’s owner Tommy “Bones” DeFino.

IRREPRESSIBLE good spirits break out as S. Phila. native Bobby Rydell, this year’s parade marshal, joked with “The Geator” Jerry Blavat and Angelo Foglietta.

GEARED UP for parade are, from left, Councilman David Oh, Ernesto DeNofa, Italian Consul General Andrea Canepari, philanthropic businesswoman Carol Tamburino and shipping magnate Phil Fischer.

ITALIAN Consul General Andrea Canepari shared sunny weather with veteran former Council President Anna Verna.

COLUMBUS DAY parade brought sunshine to, from left, 1492 Society organizer Mark Rago, PECO’s Ed McBride, sponsor Pete Ciarrocchi of Chickie’s & Pete’s, Congressman Bob Brady, Carpenters’ Union’s Guy Pigliacelli and Dr. Anthony Colavito.

CONGRESSMAN Bob Brady enjoys chat with Judge Angelo Foglietta, left, and Dr. Anthony Colavito.