vip in the city

Columbus Day parade 2007

Despite all the controversy, New York City’s Columbus Day Parade continues to commemorate the European discovery of the Americas. Ostensibly, the second Monday in October is dedicated to Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World on October 12, 1492; these days, it’s more a celebration of Italian culture and heritage.

It’s one of those perplexing holidays, a federal holiday only since 1981: no mail delivery, but New York City subways and buses operate on weekday schedules. Banks are closed, but stock markets are open. I had the day off from work, but most of my family and friends didn’t. Which essentially meant that I could spend the day wandering around the city by myself.

Well, by myself plus the 35,000 marchers and the million plus spectators who participated in the parade along Fifth Avenue this unseasonably warm October afternoon.