Plans unveiled for Pittsburgh's Columbus Day parade

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Bloomfield, the fifth-largest Italian-American community in the country, will once again host the annual Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade. This year's parade, beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 12, will feature more than 100 bands, floats, organizations and businesses honoring the contributions of the region's Italian Americans.

The parade begins on Liberty Avenue near West Penn Hospital and continues to the Bloomfield Bridge, past the Representative Stand in the heart of the neighborhood.

The parade's grand marshal will be Michael Facchiano Jr., who will be recognized for his commitment to the Italian-American community and his entrepreneurial success. He operates Facchione Contracting Co., founded by his father in 1956, and is one of the region's leading commercial construction companies.

Pittsburgh's Italian population is estimated by the Italian Sons and Daughters of Italy Western Pennsylvania district, the parade's sponsor, as the fifth largest in America.

The parade, once again hosted by former KDKA-TV news anchor Paul Martino and colleague Rick DeCarlo, will feature a number of high school marching bands, including the renowned East Fairmont High School Busy Bee and Honeybee Band from West Virginia. The band has performed more than 2,000 times, including at the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Presidential Inauguration and more.

Other parade participants include the Shriners, business and government leaders, and various multi-ethnic groups. A variety of regional ISDA lodges and officials will participate, as will the Sewickley Sons of Italy Nikola Masasi Lodge, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024.