New Rochelle Celebrates Columbus Day

A small but enthusiastic crowd turned out in New Rochelle Monday to celebrate Columbus Day.

The annual gathering was sponsored by the Calabria Society and was held at the Christopher Columbus monument in Hudson Park.

After the national anthems of both America and Italy were played, Mayor Noam Bramson said the event was a chance to celebrate a national holiday and the Italian people.

"Through their experience, we also celebrate what immigrants from other lands have done for us," he said.

Society President Domenico Procopio noted that 25 to 26 percent of New Rochelle residents were Italian.

"I'm proud to be an American and an Italian," he said.

County Legislator James Maisano, R-New Rochelle, asked the crowd to remember why they were there.

"I do want to put a plug in for our friend Christopher Columbus," he said.

Maisano said Americans like to dare and dream big.

"(Columbus) decided he was going to find the new world," he said, even though no one thought he could.

"Never forget the boldness of the dreamer Christopher Columbus," Maisano said.