"They’re bringing back the Columbus Day parade? That’s wonderful," said Santopietro. "First of all, it’s Italian. And then, it’s beautiful for Hackensack. Hackensack has revived all of a sudden."

For many Italian-Americans, Columbus Day is a chance to honor the achievements of an ethnic group that has added much to all aspects of American life, including sports, business, politics and the arts. But for all of the people of Hackensack and the surrounding area, the parade is also an opportunity to celebrate the growing economic strength that both diversity and a rising civic reputation has given the city.

Paisans praise parade potential

The parade, which is officially being called the Columbus Day Parade of North Jersey, will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. It will begin at the Bergen County Court House, march down Main and State streets then end at Passaic Street.

Hackensack Deputy Mayor Michael Melfi played a key role in bringing back the parade, which was last held in 2000. In a conversation with Hackensack Chronicle, Melfi noted what he believes the parade will bring about for the city.

"We’re the county seat. This is an opportunity for us to step up and show off downtown Hackensack," he said. "We have a diverse community, and this parade is a celebration of all members of our community. It’s not just about Columbus or Italian-Americans alone. Our goal is to include everybody."

Melfi worked in conjunction with Leo Pflieger, executive director of Hackensack’s Upper Main Alliance, a non-profit public/private partnership formed in 2004 to streamline municipal and business efforts to boost the economic health of downtown Hackensack, to coordinate parade plans. Don’t let the Germanic-sounding last name fool you — Pflieger’s mother’s maiden name is Demarsico. However, he echoed Melfi’s comments about the Columbus Day parade being a day for everyone.

"The parade is going to be the same day as our third annual Hackensack Street Festival, which is a real family-oriented community event," he said, noting that New Jersey native John Pizzarelli, the acclaimed Italian-American jazz guitarist and bandleader, will be headlining the festival. "We drew about 20,000 people to the first two festivals, which were held on Saturday. The parade committee approached us and asked if we would move our event to Sunday to coordinate the two events together. We agreed."

As a result, the Hackensack Street Festival will also he held on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6.p.m. With the parade ending at around 1 p.m., Pflieger feels that the more, the merrier.

"The parade route literally wraps around where the festival is," explained Pflieger. "We hope that the overflow from the parade will then come over to the street festival. We anticipate up to 30,000 people coming to our event now. People will see that there is rejuvenation happening in Hackensack. We can help each other out."

On Oct. 5, la dolce vita for all

Anna Maria Cornetta, owner of Minitalia on Main Street, which sells a full line of imported Italian foods, music, newspapers and coffee, hopes that the parade will help her business boom. A native of Naples, Italy, she can’t wait for Main Street to turn into Rome’s Appian Way for a day.

"Main Street in Hackensack is beautiful, and it should have a beautiful parade," she said. "We’ve been here for 34 years, and we love being here. Main Street is improving 100 percent, and a lot of people will come out on parade day and see that for themselves."

Down the block at her restaurant, Angela Santopietro is getting ready to display some pride when the parade-goers arrive in October.

"I’m going to put my big flag out," she said, a reference to Il Tricolore, the green, white and red Italian national flag seen waving joyously around the world after the Italian soccer team’s recent World Cup triumph. "We’re numero uno."

While there has been considerable cultural and historical debate regarding whether Columbus, a native of Genoa, Italy, actually discovered America in 1492, there is still clarity for Santopietro.

"For us, Christopher Columbus discovered America," she said. "Whether it’s true or not, not everybody says so. But for us, he’s the leader."

While her husband Luigi made another small but strong cup of espresso at Minitalia, Anna Maria Cornetta put the debate over Columbus’ historical role into perspective as the couple eagerly awaits the parade.

"People love parades, and not only Italians will come out for Columbus," she said. "He didn’t discover America only for Italians. He discovered America for the whole world to enjoy, as well as to profit and to progress. I’m happy that the parade is back."

For more information about the parade, visit www.columbusdayparadeofnorthjersey.org.

E-mail: bonamo@northjersey.com