2025 Columbus Day Parade Little Italy in Cleveland October 13, 2025
The Columbus Day Parade, sponsored by Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), took place in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood on Monday, Oct. 13 along Mayfield and Murray Hill roads. Italian organizations, floats, marching bands, businesses, politicians and city leaders all marched to celebrate Northeast Ohio's deeply rooted Italian American culture.
Cleveland's Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1920 when several Italian American enclaves across the city paid homage to their heritage. After World War II, the parade unified and was held downtown before eventually moving to Little Italy in 2003. ISDA National President Basil M. Russo said, "On Columbus Day, Italian Americans pay tribute to our ancestors, and to all walks of life, who arrived in Northeast Ohio and built better lives for their families. Many aren't aware of this, but Columbus' parades and statues were used by early Italian Americans to fuel assimilation during a decades-long period of oppression. In fact, the first national Columbus Day celebration honoring Italian Americans was held in 1892 in NYC as a way to ease tensions after 11 innocent Italian immigrants were murdered in New Orleans in front of the largest lynch mob ever to assemble on U.S. soil."
Before the Parade, Holy Rosary Church was packed for Mass.
The event began with a welcome and announcements from Master of Ceremonies Anthony Lima from 92.3 The Fan radio.
Anthony Lima
He introduced Soprano Rachel E. Copeland who led the singing of the Italian national anthem.
Rachel E. Copeland
Then, Russ Scarvelli led the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
Russ Scarvelli
Anthony Lima then listed the sponsors and the parade honorees. Watch a video of the welcome and anthems.
The Grand Marshal of the Parade was Congressman Michael Rulli and the Mother of the Year was Marie Korosec. Phil Bova was one of the Italian Heritage Honorees and Marie Frank represented ISDA Ohio.
Grand Marshal Congressman Michael Rulli
Mother of the Year Marie Korosec
Phil Bova
Marie Frank
The Parade featured dignitaries including Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin and Councilman Mike Polensek as well as Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) national president Basil Russo. There were floats, Italian lodges and groups, marching bands from Lake Catholic HS, Mayfield HS, Benedictine and North Olmsted HS and even a Columbus balloon! As always the last unit was Orlando Baking Company who threw out bags of their delicious rolls to the frenzied crowd. Watch a video of highlights of the 2025 Columbus Day Parade.
Enjoy these photos from the 2025 Columbus Day Parade in Cleveland.
Blaine Griffin and Mike Polensek
Grand Marshal Michael Rulli
Marie Korosec - Mother of the Year
Marie Frank
Phil Bova
ISDA President Basil Russo
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5 Italian Americans have been inducted so far into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. They are: Paul Sciria, Bishop Anthony Pilla, Nacy Panzica, Basil Russo and Joyce Mariani
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Seeing the various people at the Parade added to the fun. Here are just a few.
Pamela Dorazio Dean and volunteers at the Italian Heritage Museum
