Salute to the troops
The Sons of Italy, Charles J. Bonaparte Lodge 2504, will host the 26th Columbus Day Parade starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, along with the 2nd Italian Food Fest Celebration to kick off afterward until 10 p.m.
Linda Biondi, of the Sons of Italy, said the parade will run west on Southwest 47th Terrace this year. She said with the new direction, the parade will be brought to the event.
“For the first time in 26 years, the parade will travel from east to west,” Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency Public Relations Manager Helen Ramey said. “The parade will start at Southeast 15th Avenue, so parade-goers should gather in the Big John plaza area and will end at Club Square.”
The parade’s theme is “Salute The Troops.”
“Our soldiers are over there doing all kinds of interesting things and we need to support the guys and girls over there as we speak,” Biondi said.
“With our troops stationed overseas, protecting our freedom, the veterans’ tribute is an excellent way to honor those that gave so much,” Ramey said.
The grand marshal for the parade is Ralph Santillo, founder of Invest in America’s Veteran Foundation. He spent six years in the NJ National Guard with the medic and armor divisions.
“I almost fainted,” Santillo said of being asked to be the grand marshal. “It is the best, biggest honor I have ever had in my whole life.”
He e-mailed all of his children and grandchildren the information the minute he agreed to do it, so they could attend the parade.
Santillo said he is also honored that his organization is involved in the event.
“I was appalled to hear some of the things that our young veterans are facing when they return home today,” he said in a prepared statement. “Broken families, loss of jobs, an extraordinary number of wounded, mentally as well as physically. Many are homeless. We owe them a debt for their sacrifices.”
Santillo recently opened the clubhouse, thrift store and museum for the organization, located at 3100 Del Prado Blvd., Building 3, Unit 6.
He said he opened the headquarters to provide a place for veterans and members to join them for the day.
Professional counselors are also available at the headquarters to council veterans on jobs, the G.I. Bill, health care and affordable housing, along with alcohol and drug addictions.
Santillo said the main focus for the organization is to try to generate new jobs in the health care system for veterans. If they qualify, they will be put into training and schooling, which takes approximately two to three weeks to complete.
The headquarters for Invest in America’s Veteran Foundation also offers a military museum with donated items, a thrift store and discount furniture store, along with an area where they serve a light breakfast and lunch for $1.50.
Santillo said if the veterans do not have enough money to purchase clothes or food, they will provide it to them for free.
The clubhouse is a place for veterans and members to hang out. Santillo said there is living room furniture set up for those to sit and chat.
“Some of the old-timers like to come and reminisce,” he added.
Biondi said that although they are still receiving applications for the parade, she expects approximately 50 units to be present. Old-time favorites like the basset hounds, Friends From Wildfires and Girl Scouts will make an appearance.
Barry Newman, producer of the event and president of 2B Productions and Incorporated, said the local acts will donate their time and services for the entertainment portion of the event. They will not be receiving a paycheck.
“Everyone is donating their time and services to help raise money,” he said.
The entertainment includes The Del Prados, Bravisimo! featuring Jim Jeffrey, Heidi Brown and Michelle Cook, along with performers Barry Newman & The Lords of Cool.
The Del Prados formed their group in July 2002 and have performed Doo Wop music for music-goers in Punta Gorda to Naples to Fort Lauderdale.
Bravissimo! is an operatic trio who performs Italian operatic arias and Neapolitan songs.
Barry Newman & The Lords of Cool will entertain guests with their Motown and rock ‘n’ roll. Newman, who was a former member of the Crests, has been in the industry for more than 30 years.
The Crests recorded eight gold records, which included their big hit “Sixteen Candles.”
Newman said the event will also have three Italian opera singers, tarantella dancers that will demonstrate Italian folk dancing usually done at weddings, The Rita Meyer Little Dancers, and magic and comedy presented by BJ Odem.
At 7 p.m. the 1960s popular recording group Larry Chance and the Earls will perform. Newman said they are known for such hits like “Remember Then” and “I Believe.”
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s and Cooley’s Anemia.
Newman said the entertainment is free and food is available to purchase from vendors.
“This is truly a fun-filled, family event,” Ramey said.
Biondi said she hopes the economic climate that everyone is experiencing will not affect the parade or food fest.
“Last year we added the food festival,” she said, adding that people should come and enjoy themselves, and taste new and favorite Italian foods.
“This is our way to say thanks to the community for supporting our charities,” Biondi said.
The Italian Food Fest Celebration will include such food vendors like Societa D’Italia, Leone’s, Big Papa’s, Sal’s Pizza, Bella Sera, Ariels, Miami Crepes, Boston Richie, Nino’s Bakery, Working Cow, Ice Cream Club, Crossroads Cafe, Private Platter, Funnel Cake Fact, Don Anthony’s, Pete’s, Tormas Bistro and Taste of Sicily.
Food vendor coordinator Pete Simone said Monday that they were still signing up vendors for the festival.
“This will be a true northern feast. We have tried to cover all the different foods that anyone could ask for,” he said.
“The two main ingredients to have a great festival are great food and great entertainment,” Simone said. “We have tried to make sure that we have plenty of both.”
The event will have free admission, parking and entertainment.
“How’s that for a stimulus plan?” Simone asked.