Do you know that there is a special Columbus Day mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC (and live-streamed) as well as a NYC Columbus Day Parade that marches up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 72nd Street? 

Whether you celebrate Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day on October 11th, it is a great time to book a long weekend in New York City. The weather is sunny and crisp, the fall foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for city photos, and there are many fun fall things to do around #NYC! 

The Columbus Day Mass kicks off at the famous St. Patricks Cathedral at 9:30am on Monday, Columbus Day. You must have tickets to enter the Cathedral up until 9:15am, and after that it becomes general admission. According the Columbus Citizens Foundation, “the Mass reflects on the millions of men, women, and children who came to America in pursuit of freedom and opportunity, and the faith that helped them endure hardship and adversity.”

The NYC Columbus Day Parade features performances by 35,000 artists with most performances happening between 67th and 69th Streets. 2021 marks the 77th Annual Columbus Day Parade, the nation’s largest celebration of Italian American heritage in the United States. 

For more details, you can check the Columbus Citizens Foundation website but we’ve gathered some details below for your convenience:

NYC Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

5th Avenue between 50th/51st Streets, New York, NY 10022
Monday, October 11th, 2021
Ticketed guests can enter before 9:15am, general admission thereafter
Live-streamed mass is available at this link

NYC Columbus Day Parade

Fifth Avenue from 44th – 72nd Streets, New York City
Monday, October 11th, 2021
11:30am – 3:00pm
Broadcast: WABC-TV, 12 Noon – 3:00pm

NYC Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshal of the 2021 Columbus Celebration

Michael Pascucci is the Grand Marshal of the 2021 Columbus Celebration and will lead the in-person parade on October 11th. Michael Pascucci is the Chairman of Duck Pond Associates. He is also the owner of Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, New York which opened in 2006. Pascucci also formed Oxford Resources Corp., one of the nation’s largest publicly traded independent automobile leasing and finance companies. Mr. Pascucci was selected to be Grand Marshal for his success as a prominent Italian American both in business and philanthropic endeavors (prnewswire). 

President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Marian Pardo, praised Mr. Pascucci with kind words saying, “We are beyond honored to have Michael as this year’s Grand Marshal. This is a truly special event as emerge from a global pandemic and reflecting on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Our 2021 parade offers the nation a symbol of hope and perseverance. There is no one better to lead this celebration than Michael Pascucci. His life and accomplishments represent family, faith, and fortitude in this year when we reflect on and dedicate this year’s events to resilience, renewal and reunion.” As Grand Marshal, Mr. Pascucci will lead marching bands, floats and performers along the parade route.

Humanitarian of the Year 

Daniel Nigro is the 33rd Fire Commissioner of the NYC Fire Department and was appointed in 2014. Nigro is only the sixth individual in the agency’s 156-year history to have held every uniformed rank. Marian Pardo, President of Columbus Citizens Foundation, said of the announcement: “In 2021, our Parade celebrates resilience, renewal and reunion, even as the world commemorates the 20th anniversary of 9/11 – a tragic act of terrorism that forever changed history. No one demonstrates those qualities of New Yorkers better than Commissioner Nigro, who was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of that terrible day and returned in 2014 to serve the city we all love and keep it safe. We are all uplifted by his clearheaded leadership and bravery in all things.”

Honorees

Joe Gurrera, owner of Citarella, and Jodi Pulice, CEO of JRT Realty Group, join the 2021 Columbus Day Celebration. President of Columbus Citizens Foundation, Marian Pardo, says, “Our Honorees, worthy of celebration in any year, are particularly appropriate for tribute in 2021. The endeavors of both Joe and Jodi in New York reach beyond their roots in our vibrant city and are potent examples of national achievement.”

Both honorees graciously comment about this experience. Mr. Gurrera says; “As an Italian American, I could not be happier to be named as an Honoree for the 2021 Columbus Celebration. The Columbus Day Parade will be a signal to all that NYC is back and stronger than ever. I’m so proud to be a part of this celebration, and of our great city’s renewal.” 

On being a 2021 Honoree, Ms. Pulice says: “I’m gratified to be honored by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which always reminds us that the story of Italian-Americans in this country is the story of economic opportunity. And just as I proudly embrace my Italian-American heritage, I also embrace the principle of economic opportunity. In the same spirit with which my family came here – seeking opportunities to better themselves – I have carried on the tradition through my company, which stands as a leading platform for opportunity and the advancement for women, people of color, and others under-represented in today’s commercial real estate industry.” 

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS CITIZENS FOUNDATION

The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City. They are committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian-American students through various scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City’s annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian-American heritage on New York’s Fifth Avenue since 1929. For more information, contact [email protected].

Don’t wait to book tickets at The Leo House as well will sell out – it is a popular weekend in NYC. 

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