Hundreds line streets for Westerly’s Columbus Day Parade
WESTERLY, R.I. (WLNE) – Hundreds of people lined the streets of Westerly and Pawcatuck for the 71st Annual Columbus Day Parade.
The day may be named for Christopher, but in Westerly, it’s also about drawing attention to local Italian Americans, including this year’s grand marshals: Betty-Jo Cugini Greene and Stephen Greene.
“We’re each half Italian, so we figure we make one Italian,” joked the married couple.
The pair’s Westerly roots run deep. They were born and raised here, and they each volunteer for several local organizations.
“We grew up heavily in the Italian culture, like so many around here,” said Greene. “We’re very proud of that.”
“We always laugh and say that if we are not neighbors of the people here, we’re related to them,” added Cugini Greene. “Westerly is just a place where you are always welcome. So [being grand marshals] is just fabulous.”
Cugini Greene is also following in her parents’ footsteps. They were the parade’s grand marshals in 2009.
More than 100 organizations marched in the parade. Organizers tell ABC6 News it gets bigger and better every year. For them, it’s a labor of love.
“We think [this parade] is the best around and we know it’s the best around,” joked Committee President Joe Potter.
Preparations have already begun for next year’s parade.
© WLNE-TV 2018
