The Chicago-area Italian American community and its supporters pulled out all the stops in October, with celebrations taking place across the metropolitan area and throughout the month.
As always, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans led the way, starting with an Oct. 10 flag-raising ceremony in Daley Plaza, followed by a reception at the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
Next came a glittering Presidents’ Ball on Oct. 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Club presidents joined forces with elected officials from every level of government to officially welcome delegations from Sicily and Italy to the festivities, with Sicily serving as the Parade Region of Honor.
Honorees assemble at the President’s Ball.
Chicago Columbus Medals of Honor were presented to Chazz Palminteri and Gino Vannelli at the event, a musical recognition award was presented to The Buckinghams, and a 65th anniversary medal was presented to the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team.
Medals were also presented to the Ottoni Animati band from Sicily, Palermo Vice Mayor Giampiero Cannella, Giovanni, Mariann and Maria Gullo, Luigi Candioto, and the cities of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa in Mexico.
On Columbus Day, Fr. Richard Fragomeni celebrated Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago in a change in venue necessitated by the ongoing renovation of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii.
An opening ceremony at State Street and Wacker Drive featured national anthems sung by Daniela Crocco and “America’s Tenor,” Christopher Macchio. Speakers included 2025 Parade Chairman Fred Barbara, JCCIA President Ron Onesti, Italian Consul General Mario Bartoli, and other dignitaries and celebrities.
The parade on State Street was led by Parade Marshals Palminteri and Barbara. And a post-parade reception rocked Rush Street. The Rush Street reception was sponsored by The Bellevue Chicago, Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, Tavern on Rush, Carmine’s Chicago, Lucca Osteria & Bar, and Scott Harris Hospitality.
And that was just the beginning. The state of Illinois, city of Chicago and more than half a dozen suburbs issued Italian American Heritage Month proclamations. Meanwhile, a host of other organizations, offices and entities staged a wide range of events, including a wine expo, vocal competition and patron-saint celebration as well as masses, induction ceremonies, Halloween parties and several dinner dances.
This coverage also appears in the January 2026 issue of the print version of Fra Noi. Our gorgeous, monthly magazine contains a veritable feast of news and views, profiles and features, entertainment and culture.
OCT 4 — A trio of members put on a show at the American Italian Cultural Society’s 96th annual Columbus Day Banquet.OCT 4 — American Italian Cultural Society President Dan Brandolino and his wife, Ali, celebrate another successful Columbus Day Banquet.OCT. 4 — Niles Chief of Police Joseph Romano accepts Man of the Year honors from the Italian American Police Association.OCT. 4 — Past and current honorees share the limelight at the Greater Rockford Italian American Association’s Hall of Fame Special Recognition Banquet.OCT. 5 — Attendees at the Columbus Day Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford gather at the Columbus monument after the service.Elio Bartolotta of Elio Pizza on Fire rubs elbows with Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida at the Vinitaly USA wine and spirits exposition.OCT. 10 — Italian Consul General Mario Bartoli addresses the crowd at the flag-raising ceremony in Daley Plaza.OCT. 10 — Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas presents Giovanni Gullo with a Certificate of Excellence at her downtown office as Italian Consul General Mario Bartoli looks on.OCT. 11 — DJ Alex, vocalist Annalisa and emcee Paul Ciminello review the set list for the Italian American Heritage Month celebration hosted by the Mazzini Verdi Ladies Club.OCT. 11— Labor leader Dan Allen (second from right) talks shop with Italian American Labor Council officers Joe Serpico, Tony Guida and Michael Somone (from left) at the IALC dinner dance.OCT. 12 — Gino Vannelli and Chazz Palminteri accept their Chicago Columbus Medals of Honor at the Presidents’ Ball.OCT. 12 — The Buckinghams step up to the podium at the Presidents’ Ball.OCT. 12 — JCCIA President Ron Onesti hands the mic to members of the famed Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team at the Presidents’ Ball.OCT. 13 — The Knights of Columbus clear a path for the Columbus Day Mass to begin.OCT. 13 — Parade Chairman Fred Barbara gets the ball rolling during the opening ceremony at State Street and Wacker Drive.OCT. 13 — Chazz Palminteri rallies parade participants during the opening reception.OCT. 13 — Parade Chairman Fred Barbara’s float makes its way toward Van Buren Street.OCT. 13 — More than a dozen ethnic groups were represented in this year’s parade.OCT. 13 — Greco & Sons put their pride on parade.OCT. 13 — The Notre Dame College Prep Italian Club carries the Italian flag in the parade.OCT. 13 — The queen and her court pause for a breather in the middle of State Street!OCT. 13 — Paradegoers dance the afternoon away at the post-parade reception on Rush Street.OCT. 13 — A bird’s-eye view of the post-parade reception is enjoyed from the balcony of The Bellevue Chicago.OCT. 15 — Mount Prospect Mayor Paul Hoefert declares October Italian American Heritage Month in his suburb.OCT. 19 — Committee members gather around the Blessed Mother at CI-AMA’s 51st annual Feast of Maria SS. di Buteritto.OCT. 24 — The Jersey Girls entertain at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame’s 46th annual Gala and Induction Ceremony.OCT. 24 — Honorees and honored guests pause for a group shot at the NIASHF gala. Last year’s inductees were Frank Lenti, Vic Carucci, Sal Fasano, Bob Thomas, Ron Francis, Lee Corso, Steve Cardillo, Joe Napoli, Mike Pantalione and Hulk Hogan. The Future Stars Award was presented to Carmine Bastone, football player at Northwestern University. Among the special guests were Ray Laura Lasorda, Erik Kramer and Dan Vitale.OCT. 24 — Winners of the Best Group Costume Award celebrate at the annual Halloween Charity Ball hosted by the Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage Chapter.OCT. 25 — Margaret Meierhenry, Jules Furgal and Colin DeWitt (left to right) emerged victorious at Casa Italia’s 49th annual Vocal Scholarship Competition.OCT. 25 — Revelers line up for a custom parade at the Un Ballo in Maschera Halloween party hosted by the Mazzini Verdi Ladies Club.
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