On October 12th, Bensonhurst held its annual Columbus Day parade, drawing a crowd of nearly 30,000 people, surpassing the scale of previous years. The event featured a diverse array of participants, including many Chinese organizations, reflecting the increasing multicultural integration within the community.

At 1 PM, participants, including floats and community organization members, gathered on 61st Street and marched slowly towards the service center of the Brooklyn Italian-American Alliance on Benson Avenue. Both State Assemblyman William Colton and City Councilwoman Sandra Ung were in attendance.

Colton remarked that this parade has been a tradition in the Bensonhurst community for over 40 years, fostering deep connections among local residents. He expressed his belief that “dialogue breeds cooperation, and cultural integration can reduce misunderstandings.” He was pleased to see such enthusiastic participation from community members.

Ung extended her gratitude to the many volunteers from the Chinese community who completed other activities before joining the parade, noting that approximately 30,000 people had gathered, marking the largest turnout yet.

Volunteers from the Chinese Community Association shared their excitement about participating for the fourth consecutive year. They typically engage in volunteer activities within the community and were thrilled to join forces with fellow volunteers for this event. The parade included performances from community school bands, martial arts groups, and color guard teams, with prominent participation from organizations like the Pinecrest Housing Association, the Brooklyn Chinese-American Community Service Center, and the New York Chinese Chorus.

Lanyuan, the owner of a flower shop in Bensonhurst for five years, expressed mixed feelings about the parade from a business perspective. While acknowledging that the parade disrupts nearby traffic and parking—often discouraging customers from visiting her shop—she still supports the continuation of the parade.

Ms. Chen, who has lived in the Bensonhurst community for 40 years, recalled how she once rarely encountered other Chinese residents or found Chinese grocery stores. She had to travel to Chinatown in Manhattan to buy essentials like soy sauce. Reflecting on the changes in the community over the years, she noted a growing diversity among her neighbors, who have transitioned from primarily Italian-American to a more multicultural demographic, while appreciating the community’s consistent safety.

Meanwhile, Mr. Li, who stumbled upon the parade while shopping, expressed his curiosity about the closed streets and thoroughly enjoyed the performances, particularly the flag-waving displays.