Frankie Avalon will lead Philly’s Columbus Day Parade

Italian-Americans will meet Sunday in South Philadelphia, and a famous local actor, singer and former teen idol will be leading the way for this year’s Columbus Day Parade. 

Frankie Avalon said it’s a true honor to be the parade’s grand marshal.”I don’t come to you today as Frankie Avalon, I come to you today as Frank Avallone, because I am a kid from the neighborhood of South Philadelphia,” he said. “I was born on Ninth and Wharton streets.  To get this honor to be a part of the Columbus Day parade, Christopher Columbus,  of course our heritage, 1492 … I think we are the same age.”Avalon, who is actually 75, said the parade is a great event.”I love this city, this is my home. I think I’ve been on location since 1958 when I first went out to Hollywood, California to do my first film, but this to me is home,” he said. “I love this city, I love my family, I love my friends.”The parade will begin at noon from Washington Avenue.