Brooklyn’s Federation of Italian Organizations will host its 40th annual Columbus Day Parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. In addition to saluting the famed Italian seafarer, explorer and navigator, the march heralds Italian heritage and culture. The route runs along 18th Avenue (Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard) from 61st Street to Benson Avenue, with the reviewing stand in front of the Il Centro community center. 

Msgr. David Cassato, the NYPD chaplain, will celebrate a pre-parade Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Athanasius Church on Bay Parkway and 61st Street. Grand marshals are First NYC Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo, a former head of the NYC School Construction Authority; P.S. 112 Principal Jennifer Potter; highly decorated retired U.S. Army Col. Patrick Mahaney, and Empire State Bank CEO Philip Guarnieri.