2022 Italian Heritage Parade in San Francisco

San Francisco’s 154th weekend celebration of Italian Heritage began on Friday night, October 7, with a lovely reception at the Italian Consulate hosted by our Consul General Sergio Strozzi for Queen Isabella and her Court, their parents, and the Italian Heritage Celebration Board of Directors. The next night the Italian Heritage Celebration hosted its first post-pandemic Grande Ballo at the beautifully historic former Hibernia Bank in San Francisco, with the crowning of Queen Isabella, Filomina Torchy Prudente Reilly, the knighting of Christopher Columbus as portrayed by Joseph Cervetto, Jr., and the presentation of the Royal Court (Princess, Duchesses, Contessas, Ladies in Waiting, Maidens, Crown Bearer and Scroll Bearer). It was a gorgeous event with over 300 people.

Sunday morning started with a solemn High Mass at Saints Peter and Paul. Attending was Queen Isabella and her Royal Court, Christopher Columbus, the Knights of Columbus, civic dignitaries, and members of the Order, including Columbia Lodge #1940 President Angelo Fanucchi and Recording Secretary Angie Fanucchi’s granddaughter Gabriella Fanucchi-Raouf, who was the First Duchess. The Knights of Columbus formed an arch in church with their swords, under which the Queen and her Court and Columbus processed, all dressed in colorful period outfits. It was very regal. Across from the church there was a great exhibit of Ferrari sports cars that captured everyone’s attention.

The next stop was Fisherman’s Wharf to decorate our cars for the oldest continuous celebration of its kind in the United States. As the parade wound its way to North Beach, it was wonderful seeing thousands of people along the parade route, and you could feel the enthusiasm and happiness all around. The restaurants on the route had outside tables that were packed with people. I was honored to represent our State President Barbara Wisniewski in a convertible. Right behind me in the next car was our lovely Miss California Gianna Benedetti from the Roma Lodge, who represented us beautifully. We were able to ride in the parade thanks to the continued generosity of Dick Ghilotti of Ghilotti Construction, who provided our cars, our drivers John Peretto and Tom Rainford, and antique vehicles that participated in the festivities, which featured about 88 entries from as far north as Sacramento, as far south as San Diego, as well as the Mummers’ Aqua String Band, which came all the way from Philadelphia. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal was Randy DeMartini, Executive Director of the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and Larry Mazzola, Jr., the President of the SF Building and Construction Trades Council. The weather was nice and on the colder side, but unfortunately the fog came in enough that the Blue Angels, who flew into town for Fleet Week, had to cancel their daring air show. Despite this it was a great weekend to show our Italian pride!

Once again……Please make every effort to protect Columbus Day in the United States against the growing threats that have placed it in danger. If someone is trying to remove Columbus Day recognition from your area, contact your legislators and tell them to protect this holiday that honors not only the amazing achievement of an Italian navigator who opened up the world, but also the 26 million-plus Americans of Italian descent that helped create our great nation. While it is important that our indigenous brothers and sisters are justly honored for their ancient heritage, it should not be at the expense of ours. Our National Lodge, in conjunction with our Commission for Social Justice, is working hard to preserve this holiday. Please contact them for further information and to obtain pamphlets with historically correct information about the great navigator. Please don’t think Columbus Day is safe, please don’t wait for someone else to save it, and please don’t wait until it is too late…act NOW to protect YOUR heritage for future generations.