Little Italy Welcomes The 124th Annual Christopher Columbus Celebration This Sunday

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--It's been a part of Baltimore for more than a century, and it happens on Sunday.

Ron Matz reports the Orioles and Ravens may be on the road but Christopher Columbus will be right here.

Welcome to the Columbus Piazza, where Christopher Columbus stands proudly for Baltimore's Italian community.

"It's 30 years since the Columbus statue was dedicated by president Reagan, so we have two nice reasons to be here. The 30th anniversary of the statue and the big parade," said Domenic Petrucci, Columbus celebration committee.

And that big Columbus Day parade is Sunday, a Baltimore tradition now in its 124th year.

"We're looking forward to the 125th celebration next year," said Al Massa, Columbus celebration chairman.

"We'll have good weather. If you want to have a good time, Little Italy is the place to be on Sunday," said Domenic Petrucci, member of the Columbus celebration committee.

The Columbus Day parade will begin at two 'clock at Key Highway and Light Street, and this year will end in Little Italy.

"It will go by St. Leo's church," Massa said. "We're really excited about the parade this year. We have eight high school bands. A couple of the marching bands are coming from Harford County. They're getting involved. We're kind of excited about the fact it's branching out. We'll have the Shriners too."

And at St. Leo's, there will be a special Mass at 9:30 a.m., starting a day of pride.

"We're closing Stiles Street. There will be entertainment and refreshments for the benefit of the church. The sales will go to St. Leo's. There's also a two-day bocce tournament that begins on Saturday," Massa said.

And thanks in Baltimore's Italian community, "This is one of the biggest events of the year for the Italian community in Baltimore," said Domenic Petrucci. "I'm in America thanks to Columbus and this year is my 45th anniversary in this country."

Baltimore's Christopher Columbus statue was dedicated in October of 1984 by then president Ronald Reagan and then Mayor William Donald Scahefer.

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