A small group of dedicated volunteers put together six events to celebrate Columbus Day and the Italian heritage in the Metro Detroit area. These events include the following:
Events
Queen Pageant
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The Columbus Day Queen Pageant is held in May. The event itself is over 60 years old. The age groups are as follows:3-6 Queen Isabella 7-11 Miss Columbus 12-15 Jr. Miss Columbus 16-20 Sr. Miss Columbus. The Queens are sponsored by various clubs organizations, businesses, and individuals. The sponsorship fee is $300./per contestant. This includes their admission fee, dinner, and banquet dinner.
2022 TBD
Mass at San Francesco
In keeping with the theme of Unifying our community, We have graciously been sharing our celebration with San Fransesco Church which celebrates the feast day of the patron saint of Italy and the Patron saint of San Francesco​. Father Dino Vanin presides over this Mass
2022 Sunday October 2 noon
Ramo Salerno Trip to Lansing
State Representatives sponsor a Columbus Day Celebration in the Capitol Rotunda in Lansing. A bus embarks early in the morning to its Lansing destination. Refreshment will be served following the presentation.
For more information on this event, contact chairperson Pam White at 248-701-4287
2022 Tuesday, October 4 , Bus by invitation
Columbus Day Parade
The Columbus Day Parade is our crown jewel. over 100 years old. Over 400 people march in the annual Columbus Day Parade held in Mt. Clemens the Saturday before Columbus Day. The parade route is approximately 1/2 mile long. The chairman for this year’s parade is Mark Garagiola, a past president of the Columbus Day Committee.
Viewers will see floats, marching bands, Italian clubs and societies marching in colorful costumes, and much more. Emceeing the parade is Pamela White, Italian Tribune publisher, and Dominic LaRosa, The liaison to the Italian Community and The Italian Tribune newspaper.
The Columbus Day Queen and her court will reign over the parade.
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The Parade has Been Canceled until further notice
Mass at Holy Family
Fr. Paul Ward and the Columbus Day Celebration Committee welcomes everyone to join them as they celebrate a special Columbus Day Mass. The event will take place at 11:30 at Holy Family Catholic Church, located at 641 Chrysler Drive (the I-375/Chrysler Freeway Service Drive) in Detroit. For further directions, call Holy Family at 313.963.2046.
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2022 Sunday, Oct. 9, Detroit
Columbus Day Banquet
Every year to celebrate Columbus discovering the Americas, Italian Americans
around metro Detroit Eat, Drink and are Very Merry celebrating Columbus discovering America.
The Banquet this year is to be held at
The Italian American Cultural Society (Clinton Twp.)
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Entertainment provided by Pino Marelli
Tickets are $60/ person
This year's Honorees are
Man Of the Year Tonino Corsetti
Woman of the Year Lia Adelfi (Dante Alighieri Society)
Humanitarian of the year Fr. Enzo Adari (St. Louis Center)