Mario Andretti, 2004 Grand Marshal

Fire-dancers from the Region of Campania

The 2009 Columbus Celebration

The exhibits. The receptions. The floats. The personalities. The crowds!

The week New Yorkers and tourists from the world over stop to be dazzled by the vibrant culture and spectacular achievements of some of the people who made America great.

Join us as we celebrate the spirit of exploration, the struggles and triumphs of immigrants who helped build the United States, and the vibrant heritage and cultural wealth of the Italian-American community, during Columbus Celebration 2009, from October 5 through October 17.

We can’t reveal this year’s Grand Marshal just yet, or the exhibits and participants in the 2009 Columbus Celebration, but the events take place in several landmark locations in New York. Look forward to exhibits in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal and on its Main Concourse, a black-tie Gala Dinner in the Waldorf≈Astoria Hotel, the traditional wreath laying at Columbus Circle, a solemn mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, and the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture – New York’s 65th Columbus Day Parade, on Fifth Avenue.

Mark your calendars now for the events that will inform, delight and transport you during Columbus Celebration 2009

October 5- October 17:	Exhibits in Vanderbilt Hall Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. and Park Ave. 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
October 9:	Performance by a band from Italy to be determined Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal Open admission 9:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. (approximate)
October 10:	Columbus Celebration Gala Dinner Waldorf~Astoria Hotel, 50th St. and Park Ave. Admission by ticket only: for information, call 212-249-9923
October 12:	Columbus Day Mass St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 50th St. and Fifth Ave. 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Columbus Day Parade Fifth Ave. from 44th to 79th Streets 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

And remember – if you can’t make it to the parade, watch it on NBC affiliates from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in a live broadcast.  If you’re traveling overseas, you can view it on RAI and RAI International, the Italian broadcast company.

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