Photos: Bronx celebrates Columbus Day with annual parade in Morris Park

columbus day
Morris Park Columbus Day Parade rolls through the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024.
Photo by Max Blease

The Morris Park Community Association hosted the 47th annual Bronx Morris Park Columbus Day Parade on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The parade, which ran through Morris Park Avenue, featured Bronx Chamber of Commerce Chair Anthony Mormile as Grand Marshal and Bronx author and educator Tony Morante as Honorary Marshal.

This celebration of Italian-American heritage culminated with a carnival at Loreto Park.

“Thank God we have a beautiful day today! We have a lot of groups marching with us and everyone is Italian today,” Parade Chairwoman Phyllis Nastasio said at the event.
Mormile paid tribute to the Italian-American community and all it has contributed to the borough.

“We’re really celebrating the Italian heritage and all that is has done for the Bronx,” Mormile said.

The parade also recognized Christopher Columbus and his role in discovering the Americas.

“What an honor it is to celebrate this man who found a way! He was important in seeking another route to the east,” Morante said.

St. Theresa School marches in the Columbus Day Parade through the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
The Yemen American Community marches in the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade in the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Cheerleaders participate in the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade in the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Locals represent Italian heritage in a Cadillac filled with Italian flags during Morris Park Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Bikers roll down the street during Morris Park Columbus Day in the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Miss Columbus and Miss Columbus Jr. wave to the crowd from their float during the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
The 49th Precinct of the NYPD marches in the Columbus Day parade with McGruff the crime dog on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Grand Marshal Anthony Mormile (middle) and baseball hall of famer and honorary Marshal Tony Morante (right) stand on their float during the Columbus Day Parade through the Bronx on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo by Max Blease
Honorary Marshall Tony Morante waves his flag to onlookers from his float. Photo by Max Blease