Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Sergio Giangrande sure knows how to run a parade … AND throw a party. Thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of the 2017 chairman, float, sponsorship and TV ad sales were through the roof. When all was said and done, five major sponsors had signed on in support of the festivities, and another dozen benefactors purchased 30-second introductory “vignettes,” making it possible to broadcast the entire parade commercial free on ABC.
“And we did so well on float sales that the company we work with ran out!” says Domenico Gambino, who recommended Giangrande for the chairmanship. “I’m close friends with Sergio’s family and I’ve known him since he was a boy. He’s a great young man and a great businessman. I knew he would make a great chairman.”
To celebrate the success of the event and the dedication of the volunteers who made it possible, Giangrande threw a parade appreciation party in the Festival Center at Casa Italia on Sept. 22. “I can’t remember anything like this in the last,” Gambino says. “It was a wonderful idea.” “Everybody did such a spectacular job,” Giangrande explains. “I wanted to show my appreciation for all their efforts.”
Casa Italia opened up the Festival Center for the soiree and Alta Villa Banquets provided the tablecloths. Tony’s Finer Foods contributed the bulk of the food and beverages with additional food sponsorship coming from former parade chairman Sal Perricone. Pete Camaci ran the kitchen with the help of his brother Sal along with Mike Cassata and Tony Gambino. Entertainment was provided by DJ Alex, and setup, breakdown and cleanup was attended to by Casa staffers led by Darrell Marchioretto and Nancy Cometa. “It was a team effort,” Giangrande says. “I’m proud of how everything turned out.”
This page sponsored by Tony’s Finer Foods
