Planning for 2010 East Boston
Columbus Day Parade Underway
Takes a Comedic Turn
(East
Boston, MA) – (July 29, 2010) – Community organizers in East Boston
are injecting a bit of humor into the planning of this year's
Columbus Day Parade. As they prepare for the 64th annual Columbus
Day Parade - set for October 10,2010 - the committee is putting
together some new and exciting events to raise funds and get the
celebration underway a bit earlier than usual.
A decade’s long biennial event, the Columbus Day Parade is a
centerpiece event that accomplishes much more than a single
afternoon's entertainment for the folks of East Boston and
surrounding towns. It celebrates tradition and history, while
showcasing the newer face of East Boston. It pays tribute to the
members of our military - honoring our veterans and those currently
serving while remembering those that never made it home. The parade
also provides our local civic, social, ethnic, cultural and
entertainment groups and organizations a stage to shine while
reminding spectators of all of the riches that East Boston has to
offer and be proud of. It is for all of those reasons that the East
Boston Columbus Day Parade Committee, under the guidance of this
year's Chief Marshall; John Cotter, longstanding General Chairman;
Buddy Mangini, Civic Chairman; Joseph Ruggiero Jr. and perennial
parade producers - Bill Chisholm and Joe Keohane, are already hard
at work planning and raising funds for this year's parade and
associated events.
One of the things that sets the Columbus Day Parade apart from any
other event in East Boston - is the amazing way that it touches
virtually every single individual in East Boston and binds them
together for at least one afternoon - every two years. Everyone
seems to have a Columbus Day Parade memory or connection. Chances
are, if you've grown up or lived in East Boston for any length of
time, you have marched in the parade - or know someone who has.
Perhaps you have a long standing tradition of hosting a viewing
party. Maybe your favorite thing about the parade is one of the
associated events, such as the Miss and Mr. Columbus Day pageant,
jail day - or the formal Grand Marshall dinner. The Columbus Day
Parade also seems to have a reach far beyond East Boston, beckoning
folks who have long since moved away back to Eastie for the biannual
tradition.
Producing an event of this nature and size -with the level of
importance to the lives of so many thousands of people, is no small
task. There are numerous critical components to the planning of the
parade, not the least of which are fundraising and promotion. With
projected production costs coming in at $80,000 for this year's
parade, - it is important to be innovative about fundraising
efforts. In addition to existing tried and true methods including
raffles and jail day - and relying on the generosity of many, many
business and private donors, the parade committee has developed a
new event that is designed to raise funds for the parade while
providing guests with an evening that is entertaining, enjoyable,
and one that they would be unlikely to replicate on their own.
This year's signature parade fundraiser is "An Evening of Music and
Comedy" set for Saturday August 28th at 6:30 at the Madonna Queen
Shrine Hall, 147 Gladstone Street in East Boston. This unforgettable
evening of entertainment is being hosted by 96.9 FM's Hank Morse,
stars Boston's own King of Comedy - Steve Sweeney accompanied by
local funny guy - Johnny Pizzi, comedienne, film and TV actress -
Patty Ross and features the music of world renowned North Shore
Acapella and the vocal impressionist DJ Barry Mooney.
Tickets are $45 each
and include a dinner buffet. To purchase tickets, or to get involved
in the parade or associated events - you can contact Joe Ruggiero @
617-590-3035, send an e-mail to
EBColumbusCommittee (at) gmail.com
or connect with the
parade committee on FaceBook. under E.B. Columbus Parade.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Celeste Myers
Media and Promotion Contact, East Boston Columbus Day Parade
Phone: 617-913-3332
Email:
EBColumbusCommittee (at) gmail.com
