Cleveland, Ohio — The Columbus Day Parade is coming back to Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood on Monday, Oct. 11 at 12 p.m. along Mayfield and Murray Hill roads, following a 2020 hiatus caused by Covid-19. 

Elaborate floats, marching bands, local artifacts and city leaders will comprise the parade, which will celebrate Northeast Ohio’s deeply rooted Italian American culture. 

Apart from enjoying the sights and feasting on local recipes, attendees are encouraged to visit the Italian American Museum of Cleveland, which celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Oct. 1 (the Museum is located next to Presti’s Bakery). 

Prior to the parade, Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church on Mayfield Road at 10 a.m. 

Cleveland’s Columbus Day celebrations, sponsored by Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), date back to 1920, when several Italian American enclaves across the city paid homage to the 15th century Genevese explorer. 

After World War II, the parade unified and was held downtown before moving to Little Italy in 2003. 

“Columbus’s journey launched 500 years of immigration to America, attracting peoples from throughout the world seeking a better life for their families — this is the spirit we champion and are fighting to preserve, and this is what the Columbus’ parades and statues stand for,” said ISDA National President and Greater Cleveland Columbus Day Chairman Basil M. Russo. 

 

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today!