Rare 1929 Savoia-Marchetti S-56 Flying Boat
Honored in New York’s 2003 Columbus Day Parade

Replicas of Leonardo Flying Machine, 19th Century Hot Air Balloon
Help Celebrate Italian Contributions to Flight

New York, NY, October 10, 2003 – The historic Savoia-Marchetti S-56 Flying Boat – one of only two surviving examples – will play a central role in the 2003 Columbus Day Parade, which celebrates Italian contributions to the history of flight. 

The parade, which is televised on NBC and Italian broadcast network RAI, will take place on October 13, 2003, from Noon to approximately 3:00 PM. 

The Savoia-Marchetti S-56 was manufactured on Long Island in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s by the American Aeronautical Corporation, which had licensed the design from the Italian firm for which the plane is named.  A Savoia-Marchetti S-56 became the New York City Police Department’s first plane, which the Department used to enforce flying regulations, perform sea rescues and chase down rum-runners in the last years of the Prohibition Era.  It is being lent to the parade by the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, Long Island. 

Also in the parade will be a fabrication of Leonardo da Vinci’s design for a Flying Machine, which is modeled on the structure of a bird.  Leonardo, the quintessential Renaissance man, created the earliest sketches of a vehicle of flight. 

The Parade will also feature a replica of a 19th century hot air balloon.  The first manned hot-air balloon flight in Italy took place on February 25th, 1784, in Brugherio near Milan, less than a year after the world’s first successful manned hot-air balloon flight. 

The most recent aircraft in the Parade will be an Agusta A119 Koala helicopter, manufactured by AgustaWestland.  The A119 is the most recent acquisition by the New York City Police Department’s elite Aviation Unit. 

In addition to highlighting Italian contributions to flight, the parade will showcase Italian automotive, motorcycle and fashion design.  Parade Grand Marshal Roberto Cavalli will tour the parade route while seated in crystalline metallic blue 1948 Cisitalia 202 MM Nuvolari Spyder, courtesy of Lawrence Auriana, president of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes the parade. 

The courtly Italian clothier will be followed by models riding on Ducati motorcycles and wearing his fanciful and exotic designs, which feature combinations of flowing materials. 

The Parade’s Special Guest from Italy, Minister of Defense Antonio Martino, will be transported in a 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spyder convertible, designed by Pininfarina. 

Leading the parade route will be four Ducati race bikes, including the legendary 1978 Ducati 900 that Mike Hailwood rode to victory in the 1978 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race.  Hailwood came out of retirement to win that race in a surprising upset.  Team owner Steve Wynn will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the victory by riding the Ducati 900. 

Additionally, a squadron of 20 contemporary Ducati bikes will participate in the parade. 
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The annual Columbus Day Parade commemorates Christopher Columbus’s first landing in the Americas and the spirit of exploration, and it is a celebration of Italian-American cooperation and friendship.   

The Columbus Citizens Foundation has been organizing the Columbus Day Parade since 1929, when the Parade was founded by the Columbus Citizens Committee.  The Foundation’s nearly 500 members are active in supporting scholarship funds and implementing cultural initiatives by its Board of Directors. 

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Parade information:            
The 2003 Columbus Day Parade
Fifth Avenue from 44th to 76th Streets
Start time: 11:45 AM
End time, approximate: 3:00 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                
Press Contacts:             
Andrew Decker • T 212.222.4688 • F 212.222.3188
Andrew.Decker@att.net
                      
Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo • Press Officer • Italian Cultural Institute
T 212 879 4242 x 324 • F 212 861 4018