Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Huntington proudly celebrated its Italian heritage by hosting the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Hundreds gathered in Huntington to put on a proud display of their Italian heritage at the 20th annual Long Island Columbus Day Parade Oct. 7. The event, hosted by the Town of Huntington and Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, aims to celebrate Italian heritage, culture and their contributions to society.
Hundreds of New York members of the Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America marched along the parade route from the Old Village Green west on Main Street to the Christopher Columbus statue, at the intersection of West Neck Road, in honor of the organization’s 113th anniversary.
This year’s parade marshals were: Robert Ferrito, president of the New York OSDIA, Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R); Antoinette Biordi, an anchorwoman for News 12; and Vito DeSimone, an Italian media personality.
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
The Town of Huntington’s annual Columbus Day Parade marched along Main Street in a colorful display of Italian-American heritage and pride despite the rain Oct. 8. Photo by Sara-Megan Walsh
Neither rain nor political pressure was going to stop proud Italian-Americans from marching along Huntington’s Main Street in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Huntington Town’s annual Columbus Day Parade was held Oct. 8 as spectators gathered in groups under storefront awnings, waving small red, white and green flags and some wearing “Save Columbus Day” t-shirts.
Paradegoers were treated to a series of floats, marching bands and vintage cars. Cries of “Viva Italia” filled the air. This year’s grand marshals featured Robert Fonti, legislative liasion for Suffolk County and a longtime parade committee member; and Sal “The Voice” Valentinett, of Bethpage, of “America’s Got Talent” fame.
Honored guests were Lou Kron, owner of Madison Steak House in Hauppauge, for his generous donations to the Sons of Italy over many years; and Lou Gallo, locally known for dressing up as Christopher Columbus and a strong supporter of Italian-American heritage, according to parade chairman Keith Wilson.
A scene from last year’s Long Island Fall Festival. File photo by Victoria Espinoza
Come Oct. 9, Heckscher Park in Huntington will transform into a hub of fall festivity.
The 22nd annual Long Island Fall Festival, which will run until Oct. 12, throughout Columbus Day weekend, will fill the park with fun, featuring vendors, music, food and more. The event is hosted by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and Huntington Town.
According to the festival’s website, “This community event highlights the best Huntington has to offer — from its civic-minded businesses, cultural institutions and service organizations, to its restaurants, pubs and retailers.”
More than 300 craft, promotional, retail and non-for-profit vendors will line Prime and Madison streets, adjacent to Heckscher Park, as well as within the grounds of the park.
A scene from last year’s Long Island Fall Festival. File photo by Victoria Espinoza
Much like previous years, the festival will have a number of returning vendors, but there will be some new faces, according to Ellen O’Brien, executive director of the chamber. Those include vendors who make birdhouses, sea glass jewelry and more. And for the first time in many years, the festival will feature a farmers’ market.
“It’s always changing,” she said in an August phone interview. “That’s what makes it so exciting.”
Some of the main attractions include four stages of live entertainment, a beer and wine tent, a world-class carnival, two international food courts, a Sunday main stage dedicated to youth talent and more.
O’Brien said that tens of thousands of people frequent the fall festival each day. She also said she’s heard that the festival’s grossed 200,000 park-goers in one weekend.
The chamber’s always on the hunt for new vendors, but space does fill up fast. People learn about the festival through different venues, O’Brien said.
“I think it’s word-of-mouth,” she said. “I think it’s got a mind of its own at this point.”
Those interested in attending the festival can take the Long Island Rail Road to Huntington. There’s free parking at the LIRR train station during that weekend, and round-trip shuttles will run all day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for $1, on Saturday and Sunday, she said.
The festival begins Friday, Oct. 9, 5 to 9 p.m., and that night will feature a carnival, food court and music on stage. The fun will continue Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and that day will include vendors, music and shows, a food court and a carnival.
The same activities will be available the following day, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. And Monday, the festival wraps up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information and to get involved in this year’s festival, call (631) 423-6100 or visit www.lifallfestival.com.
