Columbus Day in Providence

Oct 15, 2019

2 min read

Often mistaken for a pineapple — it’s actually a pine cone

Originally posted on my other blog the Trav-a-log, the contents of which I am in the process of transplanting here, so that it will all live in one place!

Having a day’s layover between Boston area dates, and that day being Columbus Day, I had a crazy notion that I’d like to spend it in America’s most Italian city per capita (and, as it happens, my old town), Providence, Rhode Island. The Federal Hill section of Providence has an annual 3-day Festival in honor of the holiday. Myself and one of my oldest friends (and creative collaborators) Chris Fratiello, partook of the local cuisine, listened to the free music, and above all, people-watched, as you do get the characters in Providence. Am I in favor of picking a new hero to celebrate to honor Italian-American culture? Yes! Am I favor of an Indigenous People’s Day? Yes! But right now, the Italian-American community still pegs their celebration to the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. I’m part Cherokee and Powhatan, btw, (very small parts), and until any such new holidays are forthcoming, I see no need to sequester myself in some smug Virtue Closet boycotting sausage and peppers. If the thought of these happy people enjoying themselves fills you with revulsion, feel free to move along.