2024 Grand Marshal

LONGTIME COMMUNITY SUPPORTER ELAINE K. FICARRA NAMED 2024 GRAND MARSHAL OF 116TH GREATER BRIDGEPORT COLUMBUS DAY PARADE AND ITALIAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport lauds Ficarra’s community involvement and professionalism

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Council of Italian American Societies (CIAS) of Greater Bridgeport has chosen longtime Bridgeport-area professional Elaine K. Ficarra, a managing director at Webster Bank, as the 2024 Grand Marshal of the Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade. 

The 116th annual parade, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, floats, area school bands, scout troops, the popular Pyramid Shriners mini-vehicles and much more, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 13, stepping off at 12 noon from Jewett and Madison avenues in Bridgeport’s North End. Ficarra will make her debut as grand marshal this Sunday, June 9, in the Black Rock Day Parade in the city’s Black Rock neighborhood. 

Michael Marella, chairperson of the Grand Marshal Nominations and Selection Committee, said, “Each year, the Committee, made up of past grand marshals, reviews a number of worthy candidates for the position. This year, the choice was easy: Elaine’s professional credentials, her active community involvement and most importantly, the love of her Italian heritage made her the ideal choice. We’re honored that she accepted our invitation to serve as the grand marshal of the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration.”

Ficarra, a former executive director of the Barnum Festival, will receive her sash at the official Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception in July. “I am exceedingly honored to be leading this year’s celebration of Italian heritage and community,” said Ficarra. “As a proud Italian American, I look forward to increasing awareness of the substantial contributions of our community to the success of American society. Many thanks to the committee for recognizing me and allowing me the honor to help continue this long-held tradition. A special thanks to Nancy DiNardo for paving the way as the first woman to lead the parade and celebration.”

The Columbus Day Parade is the main highlight of the four months-long Italian Heritage Celebration, including the annual John Arcudi Leadership Awards Dinner, a pasta e fagioli competition and two concerts by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. See the full schedule below.

Ficarra is the second woman to serve as grand marshal of the parade, the oldest in Connecticut. The 2023 grand marshal, Nancy DiNardo, said she’s “proud and honored” to pass the torch to Ficarra.

“I know she’ll do a great job and I and the past grand marshals will be there to lend our full support,” DiNardo said. “As a former executive director of the Barnum Festival along with her professional skills, she has the organizational talents needed to raise the necessary funds and to bring people together around the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration. I am truly looking forward to presenting her with the official parade sash on July 11 at the Meet the Grand Marshal Reception at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford, CT.”

Ficarra is the managing director of external communications at Webster Bank, a leading commercial bank in the Northeast and the largest bank headquartered in Connecticut. She has more than 40 years’ experience in private, corporate, nonprofit and municipal public relations, marketing, communications and journalism leadership, including serving for five years as director of communications for former Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

She also volunteers her time to several local nonprofit organizations in the greater Bridgeport area and serves as chairperson of the Barnum Sails the Sound fundraising event, part of the annual Barnum Festival celebration.

The Council of Italian American Societies (CIAS) of Greater Bridgeport was formally established in 1978 and in 1979 became the official sponsor of the Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade. The Council is a 501©3 charitable and educational not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to support the customs, traditions and heritage of the Italian community through the Columbus Day Parade and the events of the Italian Heritage Celebration. The Council also presents scholarships to seniors graduating from area high schools who are planning on attending college and supports the activities of other Italian organizations throughout the region. The Council also supports other community events such as the Barnum Festival, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, the Black Rock Day Parade and the Puerto Rican Day Parade to name a few.

The Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade began in 1908 and was organized by the Bridgeport Chapter of the Sons of Italy and in later years by the North End Columbus Association. This year marks its 116th continuous year distinguishing it as the oldest Columbus Day Parade in the State of Connecticut and by 21 years precedes the New York Columbus Day Parade. 

In 1909, the Bridgeport Italian community petitioned the CT General Assembly to recognize Columbus Day as an official state holiday. The legislation was passed and signed into law by the Governor. In 1892, the Bridgeport Italian community held a reenactment of Columbus’ landing at Bridgeport’s Seaside Park with over 20,000 people attending the event.