American and Italian flags lined 18th Avenue on Oct. 10 as hundreds of marchers and spectators gathered in Bensonhurst for the 44th annual Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade, celebrating the Italian-American heritage that has helped shape the neighborhood for generations.
Among the marchers was Assembly Member William Colton, who represents Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights. A third-generation Italian-American, Colton joined local school community organizations and other civic leaders for the annual procession along the avenue, also known as Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard.
Assembly Member William Colton joined residents and community organizations for the 44th annual Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Vintage cars adorned with Italian flags rolled down the street as participants and spectators came together for a celebration of the neighborhood’s cultural roots. Once the beating heart of Italian-American life in southwest Brooklyn, 18th Avenue has continued to evolve alongside the borough’s changing immigrant communities.
Local schools and community organizations joined hundreds of participants marching along 18th Avenue for the annual Bensonhurst parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
“I’m always delighted to take part in this historic parade,” Colton said in a statement. “As this corner of Brooklyn has continued to evolve, and new immigrant groups have settled here, the parade has also changed, but it continues to celebrate the deep heritage of the area and the importance of Italian culture, as it honors the innumerable contributions that Italian-Americans have made over the decades to Brooklyn, New York City and the United States.”
Sponsored by the Federation of Italian Americans (FAIO), the parade began at 61st Street and proceeded along 18th Avenue before concluding at Il Centro, the organization’s community center on Benson Avenue.
Italian pride was in full force along 18th Avenue as vintage cars and parade participants celebrated Bensonhurst’s cultural heritage.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
The parade’s grand marshals were City Council Speaker Julie Menin, attorney Joseph Mure, P.S. 204 Principal Roseann Sainato and owner of Il Coloseo restaurant Giulio Mannino.
Also in attendance was U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who joined the celebration of Bensonhurst’s “rich Italian heritage.”
“We love to celebrate the rich Italian culture in our district, not only on display today, but the great Italian restaurants where we can celebrate their culture every day,” she continued. “Go visit one!”
City Council Speaker Julie Menin was among the grand marshals of Bensonhurst’s 2026 Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Now in its 44th year, the parade continues to honor the Italian-American traditions that have endured as the surrounding neighborhoods have changed.
“Marching today, as in the past, is both a pleasure and an honor for me, and I look forward to doing it for years to come,” Colton continued.