More than 35,000 take part in annual Columbus Day Parade in NYC

A young man waves an Italian flag before marching down the 5th Avenue during the 65th Annual Columbus Day Parade in New York on Oct. 12, 2009. New Yorkers flowed on the Fifth Avenue on Monday to celebrate the annual Columbus Day falling on the second Monday in October each year. (Xinhua/Liu Xin)

The annual Columbus Day Parade, the world's largest celebration of Italian-American culture, was held in Manhattan of New York City Monday, featuring floats, sports cars, bands and handfuls of politicians.

Some 35,000 marchers took part in the 65th annual event. Nearly one million spectators were lining along the street to watch the parade.

This year the parade featured a modern-day explorer -- astronaut Buzz Aldrin -- as marchers celebrated the famous Italian adventurer.

The parade, which has been organized in New York since 1929, celebrates the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus's 1492 expedition and the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his rival City Comptroller William Thompson were among the marchers.

The parade stepped off at 11:45 a.m, and ended at around 3 p.m.

In observance of Columbus Day, New York public schools, government offices and most banks were closed on the day.

Source: Xinhua
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