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About 35,000 people and more than 100 bands and floats marched up Fifth Avenue in celebration of the contributions Italian immigrants and their descendants made to the United States.

CNBC program host Maria Bartiromo lead the way as Grand Marshal and Mayor Michael Bloomberg was among the marching officials.

The rivals in the race for governor, Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Carl Paladino, are both of Italian descent and also marched.

Organizers say the city's Columbus Day Parade, which runs from 47th Street to 72nd Street, is the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture in the world.

Some spectators have even come from Italy to watch the parade and to celebrate the legacy of explorer Christopher Columbus.

"The kids are old enough now, we took them out of school -- don't say nothin'. So it was time to come and check it out. The weather's great," said one spectator.

"I made the earrings, I made the flag, I made this scarf, I made America," said one woman decked out in red, white and green items of clothing, to emulate the Italian tricolor flag.

"All the Italians are coming for Columbus Day. You know, Columbus found a great country with so many good things. I love it," said another spectator.

There are several closures and service changes around the city because of the Columbus Day holiday.

All public schools are closed.

Government offices are closed, including all post offices except for the main one on Eighth Avenue.

The New York Stock Exchange is open, while banks have the option to close.

There is no garbage pickup, street cleaning or recycling.

Alternate-side parking regulations are suspended.

Subways and buses are operating on a normal weekday schedule, as are Long Island Rail Road and Metro North trains.