COLUMBUS DAY 2011 PARADE WINNERS
BEST HIGH SCHOOL BAND
1st West Haven High School
2nd Hillhouse High School
BEST FIRE DEPARTMENT
West Haven Fire Department:
Center Fire Station
West Shore Fire Station
Allington Fire Station
BEST POLICE DEPARTMENT
1st Yale University
2nd West Haven Police Department
BEST FLOAT
1st Amity Club
2nd Branford Italian American Club
3rd East Haven Italian American Club
ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUBS
1ST Marchegiana Society
2nd Amity Club
3rd St. Andrew Society
BEST YOUTH GROUP
1ST Crosby High School ROTC
2nd Hillhouse High School ROTC
BEST SCHOOL MUSICAL UNITS
1ST King Robinson Marching Jaguar Band
2nd John S. Martinez Marching Band
3rd Celentano Museum Academy
BEST SENIOR FIFE & DRUM CORPS
1ST Mattatuck Drum Band
2nd Yalesville Senior Fife & Drum Corps
3rd CT Blues Senior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
BEST JUNIOR FIFE & DRUM CORPS
1st Marquis of Granby Fife & Drum Corps
2nd Nutmeg Volunteers
BEST OVERALL MUSICAL GROUP
Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School Marching Band
BEST DRUM CORPS
CT Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps
WEST HAVEN, April 18, 2011 — Mario Coppola, who owned Mario & Joseph Men’s Shop on Campbell Avenue for three decades, right, is all smiles with Mayor John M. Picard on April 18 on the steps of City Hall after being named grand marshal of the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade. Born in San Salvatore Telesino, province of Benevento, Italy, Coppola, 64, will lead about 90 marching units and 20 bands in the annual parade that celebrates Italian heritage. With area communities taking turns playing host, the cultural event is being held in West Haven for the first time since 2006. The two-hour parade will step off at 1 p.m. Oct. 9 along Campbell Avenue. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
Passing the flag
WEST HAVEN, April 18, 2011 — With preparations under way for this year’s Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade in West Haven, Mayor John M. Picard, third from left, accepts the traditional passing of the Italian flag from Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, second from left, as Mario Coppola, chairman of the Columbus Day Parade Committee, left, and committee President Peter Desio look on during a gathering of parade officials and others April 18 on the steps of City Hall. Hamden was host of last year’s Italian-American cultural event. For the first time since 2006, the two-hour parade is being held in West Haven and is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 9 along Campbell Avenue. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)