Binghamton’s Columbus Day Tournament of Bands a 60+ Year Tradition
A tradition that has marched through the center of downtown Binghamton for over sixty years is set to step off again Monday, October 10, 2022.
City officials have announced the details of the annual Columbus Day Tournament of Bands competition and parade and the Italian Festival.
Mayor Jared Kraham says there will be a half dozen schools from the region competing for trophies in marching precision, music, drum major and color guard categories.
The day begins with the raising of the Italian flag at 9 a.m. at Binghamton City Hall with a performance by Tri-Cities Opera singer Kyrie Laybourn.
The parade, that is traditionally a chance for candidates for political office to be seen at the start of the procession, starts at 10 a.m. near the intersection of Main and Arthur Streets, west of Binghamton High School.
The Binghamton High School Steel Drum Band is hosting the tournament and will lead the musical segment of the parade.
The competing schools include Union Endicott, Johnson City, Whitney Point, Chenango Forks, Williamson (from Tioga, Pa.) and the Athens Area Schools
In addition to the high school marching units and politicians, local Italian fraternal organizations, police and fire agencies take part along with local sports teams, antique vehicle clubs and other groups.
First District Binghamton City Councilman Giovanni Scaringi is this year’s Grand Marshal
The high school marching bands are judged as they pass the reviewing stand on Court Street between Water Street and Gorgeous Washington Street. The parade ends at the lawn of the Broome County Courthouse and the downtown roundabout.
Motorists should take note that Court Street will be closed prior to the parade. Side streets will also be closed off in the neighborhood around the high school for parade staging. There will be pauses in traffic on side streets off Court Street during the parade and Water Street will be closed at Court Street next to Boscov's for the street festival starting overnight Sunday.
The Italian Festival with food booths offering Italian and regional treats for sale starts at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. There will be live music from Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns after the parade.