Profile for Columbus Day Parade, Essay Example

Thesis Statement

The Columbus Day parade is an excited event that takes place annually on the second Monday of October in New York City.

Purpose/ Significance and Audience

The audience typically consists of 35,000 people.

The purpose of the event is for the celebration of Columbus Day.

Description of People and Places

The Columbus Day Parade takes place at 47^th Street and Fifth Avenue. It continues north along Fifth Avenue until it reaches 79^th Street. The event has been a part of the United States’ history.  Every year more than 100 bands perform for more than 35,000 people lining the parade route. The day is a significant day for the Italian American culture and the heritage.

Information About the Subject

Recently, this last October 11^th, included noteworthy Italian Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and gubernatorial candidates Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino. Lined with Cartoon models, bands and revelers, the parade features a wide array of colors and excitement. The Columbus Day parade in New York celebrates the excitement of new voyages and exploration, just as Christopher Columbus experienced himself.  The spirit of exploration gripped Columbus and his plans to find a new route to India led him across the Atlantic to what has now become the prolific United States of America.

The parade features the best of American and Italian cultures. Over a dozen high school bands show off their talents and over 35,000 marchers join the festivities, exhibiting professional talents in the Northward march up Fifth Avenue. Talents from Italy’s finest as well as America’s finest join together for this illustrious event.

Topical or Narrative Plan

The profile I intend to write for the subject of the Columbus Day parade is going to be a topical piece due to the fact that I have never actually attended the parade. I will create a descriptive account of the events of the Columbus Day parade as I see them from a distant point through films taken of the event.

A Perspective on the Subject

While event is the most enormous celebration had in honor of Italian-American heritage and culture, there are great protestations that occur. Contrasting the happy celebrations are various lines of protesters at various segments who cite the plight of the American Indian as their agenda. While the festivities drown out the comparatively miniscule protest groups, their perspectives indeed bear mentioning.

Outline

Introduction

A Historical Context for the Columbus Day Parade

What the Event Entails

Topic One – Parade Overview and History

Some Facts about the Parade

Some Demographics about the Parade

Topic Two – Christopher Columbus

History and Repeated Appeals to Ferdinand and Isabella

Arrival to America

Topic Three – Italian and American Heritage

Italian-American Cultural Celebration

Parade Constituents

Topic Four – Protesters

Anti-Columbus Sentiments

American Indian Perspective

Conclusion

Overview of all subjects covered

Sources

“The Annual Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue”. (2010). Retrieved on October 29, 2010 from ColumbusCitizensFD.org: http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/cparade.shtml

“Columbus Day Parade in 2010 in New York”. (2010). Retrieved on October 29, 2010 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/11/columbus-day-parade-nyc-2010_n_758521.html