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Designating the week of Monday, October 5 through Monday, October 12, 2015 as "Christopher Columbus/Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia. This is done in celebration of the festivities commemorating Columbus' historic voyage to the New World and honoring Frankie Avalon as Grand Marshall of the 2015 Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.
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WHEREAS, Five hundred and twenty-three years ago, a courageous Italian visionary set out on what would become one of the most momentous journeys in the annals of history. Christopher Columbus and the maps he charted to the "New World" were guiding lights to every ship that came to America; and
WHEREAS, The annual Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade began in South Philadelphia in 1957, and has since become one of the City's premier ethnic celebrations. On October 11, 2015, the 1492 Society will host the annual parade. In addition to the active participation of the Delaware Valley's Italian American community, the Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade tradition includes the world famous Philadelphia Mummers string bands, outstanding high school and elementary school marching bands and many other marching groups representing the various ethnic traditions of our great City. The Parade seeks to foster a spirit of multi-culturalism and respect for people of all ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, Grand Marshall, Frankie Avalon born Francis Thomas Avallone September 18, 1940 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to Nicholas and Mary Avallone went on to have a long and illustrious career as both a singer and actor and still performs to this day; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Avalon's musical talent was recognized at a very young age and made his first television appearance by the time he was 11 years old. Avalon went on have several huge hits including Why, Bobby Sox to Stockings, De De Dinah, his first top ten hit, and arguably his most famous number one hit Venus. He is just as well known for his acting career which ...
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