Italian pride made its way up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan today for the 64th annual Columbus Day parade.

The march featured more than 100 bands and floats and about 35,000 marchers.

The event celebrated Italian-American culture and commemorates Christopher Columbus's expedition in 1492.

Some spectators got there early, to make sure they got a good spot. A number even came from Italy itself, from Sicily, Venice and Naples.

"I'm a retired city worker and I've watched many parades in my time as a police officer and this is it. Happy to be here," said an onlooker.

"We're just having a good time, we do this every year. It's a nice parade to come to every year," said another.

The parade kicked off at 11:30 a.m. at 47th Street and Fifth Avenue and runs up to 79th Street.

Along the route came marching bands and groups of Italian-American police, firefighters and other civil servants. One float even served as a stage for a dance performance.

"That's what we like to be known, as culture," said an onlooker. "Not just the food, the spaghetti and all that. There is so much more."

"All the influence that the Italian people have made to the United States, people don't realize how much they've done," said another.

Displays showed Columbus himself, as well as Italian-engineered Maserati and Ferrari sports cars.

But for all the Italian pride on display, almost everyone made a point to say that they were Italian-American, with love for both countries.

"We are Italian and we're proud of it, but we love America also," said a parade attendee.

"It's a day to celebrate our Italian heritage. I'm American first, of course, but I'm very proud to be an Italian. Very proud," said another.

"Viva Italia! Viva la America!" said a third.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral marked the federal holiday with a special mass celebrated by Edward Cardinal Egan.

Egan said the day was about celebrating the many immigrants who have come to our nation.

It was also a chance for those in attendance to hear the mass delivered in Italian.

"It's one of the highlights of my year so I enjoy coming and enjoy Cardinal Egan, especially speaking in Italian. That's the only day of the year that he does that," said a churchgoer.

"The mass was fantastic, Cardinal Egan is phenomenal. He puts on a great show. Everyone in the church does a great job," said another.

The mass also included performances by musicians and choirs.

The Columbus Day events got off to an early start Sunday with the annual wreath-laying ceremony to honor Columbus and Italian-Americans.

The wreath was placed at the base of the explorer's statue in Columbus Circle.