Celebrate Italia!
Annual Italian Heritage Parade
Staff Writer - October 13, 2003

Nation's Oldest Italian Heritage Parade Took to the Streets of San Francisco on October 12th

More than 400,000 revelers showed up at San Francisco's 135th ANNUAL ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE on Sunday, October 12, 2003, as the City's oldest civic event and the nation's oldest Italian-American parade and community celebration winded from Fisherman's Wharf to North Beach. A San Francisco institution since it was established in 1868, the 2003 Parade has been bigger, better and more colorful than ever.

Highlights included dozens of handcrafted parade floats featuring Bay Area businesses, community groups, and Italian organizations; local high school Italian clubs and marching bands; special appearances by "Christopher Columbus" and Queen Isabella and Her Court; festive open-air dining and Italian wine and food specials at North Beach restaurants lining the Parade route; performances by a variety of traditional Italian musicians and performance artists; and special appearances by Bay Area and Italian-American celebrities.

The Route
The Parade action began at 12:30PM at the foot of Jefferson and Stockton Streets in Fisherman's Wharf, proceeded south through North Beach on Columbus Avenue, and ended in Washington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church. Parade viewing was available throughout the route and admission to all Parade activities – including the Ferrari Sports car display in Washington Square Park and a variety of hands-on activities for children and families – was free.

Robert G. Mondavi, 2003 San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade Grand Marshal

	Robert G. Mondavi

This year's Parade theme was "Italian Vintners", and the Columbus Day Celebration committee invited Robert G. Mondavi to serve as 2003 Parade Grand Marshal.

At 90 years of age, Robert G. Mondavi remains the global emissary of American wine makers. His vision was to create wines in California that belong in the company of the great wines of the world. Having successfully achieved this goal as founder and Chairman Emeritus of Robert Mondavi Winery, he now advises his sons and daughter in their leadership of the Robert Mondavi family of wines.

Born in Virginia, Minnesota to parents who emigrated from the Marche region of Italy, Robert was greatly influenced by Old World traditions.

"My passion for bringing wine into the American culture was motivated by a desire to plant deep into the soil of our young country the same values, traditions and daily pleasures that my mother and father had brought with them from central Italy: good food, good wine and love of family," said Robert. This passion sparked a revolution in the American food and wine experience.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr. was the 2003 San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade "Civic" Grand Marshal

	Willie Brown Jr., Mayor of San Francisco

Participating Groups

• Grand National Rodeo
• Vespa
• Fior d'Italia
• Associazione Alpini d'Italia
• Balliamo
• Bambini Dancers
• Eviva
• Il Quartiere Italiano
• Museum Italo-Americano
• Sbandieratori di Assisi
• Tutti Frutti Commedia dell'Arte.

Participating Restaurants

• Cafe Figaro
• Calzones
• Cafe Greco
• Cafe Puccini
• North Beach Restaurant
• Jianna
• La Felce
• Cafe Roma
• Fior d'Italia
• Cafe Malvina
• Rose Pistola
• Frankie's Bohemian Cafe
• US Restaurant
• Volare
• Firenze by Night
• Mario's Bohemian Cigar
• L'Osteria del Forno
• Tony

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