Italian-American Heritage Week

ADVISORY regarding : Italian-American Heritage Week
NEWS CONFERENCE
WHO: Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings
WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007
WHERE: Rotunda, Albany City Hall.
WHAT: Mayor Jennings will proclaim Oct. 1-7 "Italian-American Heritage Week"
in the City of Albany - a week filled with an array of special events
saluting the contributions of Italian Americans.
The week long celebration culminates with the 16th Annual Columbus Parade &
Italian Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6. The parade route begins at Western and
North Main Avenues, proceeds down Western Avenue, over Robin Street and into
Washington Park where an authentic Italian Festival takes place.
Scheduled to join Mayor Jennings at the News Conference are:
. President of the Columbus Parade & Italian Festival, Steven T. Longo.
. Philip J. DiNovo, Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2007 parade and festival,
who is founder and executive director of the American Italian Heritage
Museum & Culture Center on Central Avenue. The facility is scheduled to open
by early 2008.
. Members of the Children's Dance Troupe of Albany's Italian American
Community Center who will perform The Tarantella.
. Musician Dominic Adamo playing mandolin.
. A display of pastillage by Chef Pat Rocco.
. Members of the West Albany Italian Benevolent Society, Sons of Italy in
America and the Italian American Community Center in Albany, all of which
sponsor the parade, festival and celebration with the City of Albany.
. Also, a special treat: Gelato (Italian ice cream) will be served!
NOTE: Albany ranks as 13th among cities in the United States with the most
Italian-Americans within its population, according to U.S. Census data.
Beginning in the late 19th century, Italians began to emigrate to Albany.
They first settled in an ethnically diverse neighborhood framed by Madison
Avenue and Grand Street in the South End. There, they established a thriving
community - complete with import stores, bakeries, restaurants, dealers,
barbers, shoemakers, St. Anthony' s Church, mutual benefit societies,
newspapers and private banks.
MORE INFO: Visit www.columbusdayalbanyny.com
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