Italian American Digest Spring2020DigestFINAL | Page 3

SPRING 2020 I talian A merican
D igest
PAGE 3
50th Annual
St. Joseph’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Hosted by the Italian American St. Joseph Society
By Frank Maselli
M
arch 14
then proceeds
marks the
through the historic
50th Anniversary
New Orleans French
of the St. Joseph’s
Quarter, or “little
Day Parade in the
Palermo” as dubbed
Historic French
by locals in the
Quarter in New
1800’s due to the
Orleans. The parade
high concentration
honors the end of a
of Italian
famine in Sicily by
immigrants there.
prayers to St. Joseph,
Thousands
is presented by the
of locals and tourists
Italian American St.
line the streets to
Joseph’s Society. Both
take part in our
the parade, and its
celebration. Witness
Post-Parade Gala, are
the beautifully
the premier Italian-
decorated floats
American events
adorned by the
held after Mardi
parade’s Queen and
Gras in the historic
nearly one hundred
The 2020 St. Joseph’s Day Parade in the French Quarter will mark the 50th anniversary of the celebration
New Orleans French
of her exquisitely
Quarter.
dressed Maids.
The St. Joseph
Hundreds of
they have incorporated the focal point of New Orleans’
Society was founded in 1970 and has climbed to heights
tuxedo-ed Italian-Americans handing out green, white
festive culture, the parade, into the love of their Italian
of 1500 members in recent years. The Society’s objective
and red beads, silk flowers and Blessed Fava beans will
heritage. They celebrate St. Joseph’s Day this way each
is to keep Italian heritage prevalent in New Orleans, the
also be there. Enjoy the music of our bands and dance
year.
destination of so many Italian forefathers in the 19th
teams and catch our sound trucks playing Louis Prima,
The evening begins with fabulous Italian cuisine and
and 20th centuries. The organization is unique in that
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra music while on the
fine wine, and, of course, Italian music. The parade
parade route.
They follow the parade with a gala in the grand
ballroom
of the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel,
John Ferrucci
where our beautiful, young Italian signorinas are
GM/COO of the Silver
presented. We sip the wine and dance the Tarantella
Slipper Casino and
all night long. This event is the pinnacle of each year;
however, the group does enjoy events throughout the
2020 IASJS Honoree
year. On March 13th, they will hold their annual St.
Joseph’s Pasta Party at noon at the Hilton Riverside
Hotel. During this event, the Grand Marshal, Parade
John M. Viola
Marshals, Queen, and Caesar will be presented to the
public.
2019 Grand Marshal and
This great organization allows all of the Italian
2020 IASJS Honoree
Americans in New Orleans to enjoy the company of one
another in a fun and festive environment. Celebrating
life in appreciation of Italian heritage and striving to
keep it significant in our city as it has been for over 100
David Greco
years. The Italian American St Joseph Society sincerely
Owner of Mikes Deli and invites you, as an Italian American, to join and celebrate
Amando Asaro
your heritage with them in New Orleans.
2020 IASJS Honoree
2020 IASJS Caesar
Information about parading and Gala tickets can be
found on our website: www.iasjs.org