Fifth Avenue was transformed into a mile-and-half long celebration of all things Italian. As NY1’s Michael Scotto reported, the annual Columbus Day parade kicked off with colorful floats, rousing music and tens of thousands of marchers.

“Oggi tutti siamo Italiano,” Senator Charles Schumer shouted through a megaphone.

It's the one day, when everyone walking along  Fifth Avenue can claim to be just a little Italian, even if they know only a few words of the language.

When asked how much Italian he spoke, Senator Schumer said, “Poco. Very Poco.”

From 47th to 72nd streets, people wore their red, white and green, paying tribute to the contributions and culture of Italian Americans.

“It just brings back a lot of memories and how proud I am to be Italian,” said one paradegoer.

Celebrations honoring Christopher Columbus have been going on in this city since 1792. This particular parade is in its 71st year, and organizers say it is the largest celebration of italian-American culture in the world.

In addition, those contributions to culture, made both here and back in the old country, were front and center.

One participant came from Italy and drove up the parade route in a festive Fiat.

“I'm a little too big for this car, but it's okay,” he said.

For many, though, the parade symbolizes even more. It represents just how far Italians have come since the early 1900s, when their grandparents were new immigrants, penniless, facing discrimination and looking for a better future.

“When he came to this country, they hated the Italian people,” one paradegoer said. “They used to throw tomatoes at him.”

But symbolizing how far Italian-Americans have come, the Grand Marshal of the parade was a top business executive.

The crowd was pleased to see it all, but some said they had hoped a few more famous Italian-Americans would have turned out for the fun.

“I'd like to see Frankie Valli,” one paradegoer said. “Why not see him, Jersey Boys - somebody like that.”

However, in the end, it did not matter. The real star of the parade was Italian-American pride.