NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – The 80th annual Columbus Day Parade returned to Fifth Avenue in New York City on Monday.

Thousands of people waved their tricolor flags from 44th to 72nd Streets as generations of families took part in the vibrant display of Italian culture.

Celebrating the city’s Italian cultural roots is a tradition that connects people with little or a lot of Italian heritage with the ancestors who made their home here.

Mayor Eric Adams beamed as he attended the parade and took photos with Cardinal Dolan. Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul also attended the celebration.

Protesters proudly marched up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Captain Scott Deo attended the 80th annual parade with his family and fellow New York firefighters.

“It’s a great day to celebrate your heritage and where you come from, where your family comes from,” Deo said.

He worked for the department for 21 years – an example of the Italian-American contributions that many recognized there.

“We have a beautiful culture, everything is united, we are passionate,” said Christina Scopelliti. “My grandparents came from Ellis Island, so I’m really excited about being Italian and everything they did was coming here the right way and they worked really hard for what they did .”

The parade attracts thousands of people every year and for some it is a tradition, for others it is the start of something new.

“I mean, my grandparents came here from Sicily in the ’60s, so it’s definitely close to my heart,” said Anthony, who attended the parade for the first time. “And, you know, the opportunity to come here, celebrate these achievements, celebrate an important part of our lives… it’s a beautiful thought.”

Executive Director Michael T. Strianese served as grand marshal this year. Strianese is best known for his tenure as Chairman and CEO of L3 Technologies, Inc., a global aerospace and national security company.

This year’s honorees included Carmine Di Sibio, the former Global Chairman and CEO of EY (formerly Ernst). & Young), who played a critical role in the growth and innovation of one of the world’s leading professional services companies.

Carmine was born in Italy, emigrated with his family at the age of three and grew up in Glen Cove, New York. He was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Colgate University and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, which furthered his extensive career in financial services.

Another honoree was Vivian Cardia, a philanthropist and former president of Vivicar LLC. Born, raised and educated in New York, she earned her BA in Italian from Fordham University. Notably, she was one of the first Italian-American female members and traders of the American Stock Exchange, trading options from 1982 to 1988.

After the 1987 crash, she joined her family’s business, the famous Beatrice Inn restaurant in Greenwich Village, which the family owned from 1955 to 2005.

The parade is organized every year by the Columbus Citizens Foundation.

In addition to the parade, the organization hosted a gala to raise scholarship money and a wreath-laying ceremony over the weekend to pay tribute to the officers and first responders who serve our community and help keep the city safe.

The foundation has paid out over $40 million in student scholarships and charitable grants over the years.

For more information, please visit the Columbus Citizens Foundation.

The parade was hosted by presenters Sandra Bookman and Mike Marza and comedian Joe Piscopo. Reporters Joelle Garguilo and Lauren Glassberg joined the team along the parade route.

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