Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade Plans Unveiled

PITTSBURGH, PA — Bloomfield, the nation's fifth largest Italian-American community, again will hold the annual Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade. This year's parade, which begins Oct. 12 at 11 a.m., will feature more than 100 bands, floats, organizations and businesses recognizing the contributions of the region’s Italian Americans.

The parade will begin on Liberty Avenue near West Penn Hospital and proceed toward the Bloomfield Bridge, passing the reviewing stand centered 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 for his entrepreneurial success. He operates Facchione Contracting Co., which was launched in 1956 by his father, and is one of the region’s leading commercial construction companies.

Pittsburgh’s Italian population is estimated to be the fifth-largest in America by the Italian Sons and Daughters of Italy Western Pennsylvania District, the parade sponsor.

The parade, which will be again emceed by former KDKA-TV newscaster Paul Martino and his colleague, Rick DeCarlo, will feature a number of high school marching bands, including the renowned East Fairmont High School Busy Bee and Honeybee Band of West Virginia. The band has performed more than 2,000 times, including at the Tournament of Roses Parade, presidential inaugurations and more.

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