Christopher Columbus would be proud of the FIAO! The Federation of Italian American Organizations kicked off its annual Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12 and run along 18^th Avenue in Bensonhurst, with a festive brunch at which its grand marshals were honored.

The event, held at Sirico’s, 8023 13th Ave., on Sunday, Oct. 6, honored this year’s grand marshals: Francesco Genuardi, consul general of Italy in New York; Dr. Salvatore Cumella, executive vice president Lenco Diagnostic Laboratory and president and CEO of Cumella Professional Services; Capt. Anthony Longobardi, commanding officer of the 62^nd Precinct; Robert Ciulla, principal at Dyker Heights Intermediate School; and Denise Daniello, director of admissions and community liaison at the Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation.