Verona float depicting the famed Juliet Balcony
Astronaut and Explorer Buzz Aldrin
Veneto Exhibit, Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal
The 2009 Columbus Celebration
The exhibits. The receptions. The floats. The personalities. The crowds!
Left to right: Frank G. Fusaro, 2009 Celebration Chairman; Kenneth G. Langone, Grand Marshal; Frank A. Corvino, Honoree; Angelo Vivolo and Ronald J. Ferrelli, Honoree
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.
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, was celebrated during Columbus Celebration 2009, from October 6th through October 17th.
We were proud to have as our 2009 Grand Marshal Kenneth G. Langone. Mr. Langone is the co-founder of Home Depot and Chairman of the NYU Langone Medical Center. Honorees included Frank A. Corvino, President & CEO of Greenwich Hospital, Ronald J. Ferrelli, Managing Director, Northeast Division, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Special Honored Guest from the Republic of Italy Hon. Ignazio La Russa, Minister of Defense, and as Special Honored Guest from Italy Federica Pellegrini, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist/2009 World Record Holder.
Exhibits in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal featured Veneto: A Bridge between Venice and New York. This exhibit showcased the Region of Veneto and explored its industry, beauty, customs and contributions to Italy’s culture.
Additional events included a black-tie Gala Dinner in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the traditional wreath laying at Columbus Circle, a solemn mass celebrated by His Excellency, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, and the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture – New York’s 65th Columbus Day Parade, on Fifth Avenue.
Events that informed,delighted and transported those who attended during Columbus Celebration 2009
| October 6th- October 17th: |
Exhibits in Vanderbilt Hall Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. and Park Ave. Veneto: The Future has an Antique Heart, a Bridge between Venice and New York |
| October 10th: | Columbus Celebration Gala Dinner Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 50th St. and Park Ave. |
| October 12th: | 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. |
The parade was aired on NBC affiliates from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in a live broadcast. Overseas, it was viewed on RAI and RAI International, the Italian broadcast company.
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