Chicago Columbus Day Parade rolls through the Loop

Well, the Columbus Day Parade is getting ready to roll a little bit later this morning. Let's send it out to Gabriela this morning for a preview. Hey, Gabby. Brian, 74 years of Chicago's Columbus Day Parade, and it's going to be stepping off right here at Dearborn and Wacker, heading south to Van Buren at 12 o'clock. But first, there's some things that are going to happen. They have a mass schedule. They have opening ceremonies right here at this intersection as well, so we can look forward to that. Plus, you know, some street closures, So be aware for later on this afternoon, one of the guys who's making this all happen, Ron Onesti. Thank you so much for joining us. I mean, beautiful morning. It's scheduled to be a beautiful day. How are you feeling ahead of the parade? You know, today is a very, very important day for our Italian-American community in Chicago. We celebrate a rich history of the Italian traditions. And what better day than Columbus Day right here in downtown Chicago? I mean, 74 years, you hear that, and you're like, well, no wonder. You know, this is such a highlight in the city of Chicago. But what makes the 74th year even more special? You know, we all know that the world's been a challenging place for the past few years, ups and downs, whatever it is. But this is a day that we all come together, all cultures, all ethnicities. We're all celebrating under one umbrella of peace and harmony. Again, the Italian traditions, the stuff that our fashion, our autos, our food. Who doesn't love that stuff? This is in particular a day that we can all celebrate and we can all be Italian. It doesn't surprise me because the Italian community here is so strong, so 74 years, no wonder. Let's talk about some of the star-studded guests that you guys have when the parade kicks off here at 12. So exciting. We've got Cristiana Dall'Anna, who starred in the role of Cabrini, a fabulous film that came out last year. And then the lead singer of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Foreigner, Lou Gramm. His last name is actually Grammatico, so he is an Italian-American. and he'll be here as a Grand Marshal, and who's the boss? Taxi Tony Danza will be our Grand Marshal today. How cool. Let's talk about the location, because we've known that the Columbus Day Parade has been on State Street for quite a few years now. Absolutely. It's on Dearborn because of the construction that's going on. Absolutely. But you said, actually, it has some roots here on Dearborn. It has a lot of roots, my dear. We started here on Dearborn, probably had about 30 years, Dearborn and Wacker, And then about 15 years ago or so, we decided to let's put it on State Street, that great street in front of the Chicago Theater. And it was incredible. But due to the construction, we're right back here. But no matter where we're at, we are home because Chicago is our home. I love it. It's not just the parade that's happening. You guys have some pre-parade things that are happening, like a mass, a wreath laying, correct? Yes, this morning we'll start with mass at Our Lady of Pompeii Shrine, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. brand new shrine there brand new church and then we're doing a wreath laying ceremony that's celebrating the Italian American war veterans and those that have passed and then right here the opening ceremonies at noon right here on Dearborn and Wacker okay I'm looking down Dearborn what's our call to action for people later on obviously to come but it's gonna be a good feeling isn't it you know what the thing about Dearborn that's different than State Street it's about half the size with regards to width which means it's gonna to be so intimate and last year it was out of control people were here but you know what the best part about it is for us and for me it's it's not a corporate feel it's families you'll see kids you'll see flags you'll see red white and green you'll see just everybody having a good time there's so much music in the parade everybody's singing Volare everything you know everybody today is italian and italian american what's your hack for people who are wanting who are listening now, or I'm watching now, that have decided, I want to come to Columbus Day Parade on Dearborn. How early should they get here? Well, you know what, if you get here around 10:30 or so, keep in mind, you've got to park there's several parking spots in the area, several parking lots, and the best thing that I do is, here's a suggestion, go to the end of the parade, park around there, then walk back, because at the end of the parade, it's a lot easier to go right to your car than to walk the entire length of the parade. That's true. Ron and Esty, thank you so much i appreciate it okay guys of course there's gonna be street closures here downtown area you're gonna have to deal one more day but it's worth it Columbus Day Parade happening um starting at noon you might want to catch it i'll see you guys later All right, thank you so much, Gabby.