COLUMBUS — Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro will serve as grand marshal of the 46th Annual Columbus Italian Festival parade on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Fabbro, who is of Italian-Canadian descent, is confirmed to be participating despite his current injury. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday from Goodale Park in Victorian Village and makes its way through Italian Village to the festival grounds.
“A proud Italian and a tremendous ambassador for the sport of hockey,” festival organizers said in announcing Fabbro’s role, inviting the community to join him in celebrating family, heritage, great food and the community that makes the Italian Festival a Columbus favorite.
The parade is one of the festival’s signature traditions, drawing crowds to the Italian Village neighborhood each October for a weekend of food, music and culture.
The Italian Festival runs through the weekend at its Italian Village grounds. Sunday’s parade marks the centerpiece of this year’s 46th edition, with Fabbro leading the route before the festival continues into the afternoon.