Journalist, communications director, Barnum Festival leader, banker, Elaine Ficarra’s resiliency has spanned a diversity of vocation and advocation.
We worked together in the newsroom of The Telegram, a predecessor paper to the Connecticut Post banging copy on typewriters. Yes, typewriters. Soon, AI may be taking over those duties at various newsrooms around the country. Meanwhile we will do our level best to churn out brain and body experiences.
Elaine and I also share a glorious heritage. She’s been named Grand Marshal of the Greater Bridgeport Columbus festivities.
News release crafted by a human:
The Council of Italian American Societies (CIAS) of Greater Bridgeport has chosen longtime Bridgeport-area professional Elaine K. Ficarra, a managing director at Webster Bank, as the 2024 Grand Marshal of the Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade.
The 116th annual parade, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, floats, area school bands, scout troops, the popular Pyramid Shriners mini-vehicles and much more, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 13, stepping off at 12 noon from Jewett and Madison avenues in Bridgeport’s North End. Ficarra will make her debut as grand marshal this Sunday, June 9, in the Black Rock Day Parade in the city’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Michael Marella, chairperson of the Grand Marshal Nominations and Selection Committee, said, “Each year, the Committee, made up of past grand marshals, reviews a number of worthy candidates for the position. This year, the choice was easy: Elaine’s professional credentials, her active community involvement and most importantly, the love of her Italian heritage made her the ideal choice. We’re honored that she accepted our invitation to serve as the grand marshal of the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration.”
Ficarra, a former executive director of the Barnum Festival, will receive her sash at the official Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception in July. “I am exceedingly honored to be leading this year’s celebration of Italian heritage and community,” said Ficarra. “As a proud Italian American, I look forward to increasing awareness of the substantial contributions of our community to the success of American society. Many thanks to the committee for recognizing me and allowing me the honor to help continue this long-held tradition. A special thanks to Nancy DiNardo for paving the way as the first woman to lead the parade and celebration.”
The Columbus Day Parade is the main highlight of the four months-long Italian Heritage Celebration, including the annual John Arcudi Leadership Awards Dinner, a pasta e fagioli competition and two concerts by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. See the full schedule below.
Ficarra is the second woman to serve as grand marshal of the parade, the oldest in Connecticut. The 2023 grand marshal, Nancy DiNardo, said she’s “proud and honored” to pass the torch to Ficarra.
“I know she’ll do a great job and I and the past grand marshals will be there to lend our full support,” DiNardo said. “As a former executive director of the Barnum Festival along with her professional skills, she has the organizational talents needed to raise the necessary funds and to bring people together around the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration. I am truly looking forward to presenting her with the official parade sash on July 11 at the Meet the Grand Marshal Reception at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford, CT.”
Ficarra is the managing director of external communications at Webster Bank, a leading commercial bank in the Northeast and the largest bank headquartered in Connecticut. She has more than 40 years’ experience in private, corporate, nonprofit and municipal public relations, marketing, communications and journalism leadership, including serving for five years as director of communications for former Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.
She also volunteers her time to several local nonprofit organizations in the greater Bridgeport area and serves as chairperson of the Barnum Sails the Sound fundraising event, part of the annual Barnum Festival celebration.
The Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration features events over four months.
· Thursday, July 11 – Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception and Official Presentation of the Grand Marshal’s Parade Sash, 6 p.m., Vazzano’s Four Seasons, Stratford. As part of this event, scholarships totaling $5,000 will be presented to the five 2024 CIAS Scholars. Tickets are $75 per person.
· Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
· Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
· Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
· Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
· Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration
o Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport.
o Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport.
o Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
· Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
· Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
· Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade
o Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission.
o 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street.
o The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
· Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com.
