Ossining 5th Grader's Prominent Role in German-American Parade

An Ossining 5th grader will hold an important role during this year's German-American Steuben Parade in New York City. Alex Carrazzone has been named as the Junior General von Steuben in the parade. The annual event has taken place for 54 years. The parade route will be on Fifth Avenue and Carrazzone will be riding on a float.

Alex has been a member of the German-American Social Club of Peekskill along with his parents Kirsten and Peter. The youngster, who is of German and Austrian descent, swims for the Ossining Spartans. He also plays the piano, flute and piccolo. Alex's parents are very proud him. "It's a pretty prestigious role. He's meeting a lot of people… and more importantly he's sharing his German heritage," said Alex's mom, Kirsten Harzewski.

This year's German-American Steuben Parade will be held on September 17.  The event will also be television. This is the first year that the parade will be televised. Viewers can catch the event live on WLIW and WNET-TV at noon on September 17. Those in the parade say it's a very special and festive event to take part in and watch. "It's a close group of people. We see the same groups marching every year. It's a very family-like environment. And it's a lot of fun. You see the same people once a year from the Tri-State area," said Harzewski.