Annual Columbus Day celebration in Orange County, October 8

SANTA ANA, CA - The Italian Cultural Arts Council (ICAC) and its affiliate organizations, the OSIA Renaissance Lodge #2259 and the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation will present the annual Columbus Day Civic Celebration on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM- 12 Noon at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana located at 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana.

Chaired by Frank DeSantis, president of ICAC, the highlights of the program include “Catch the Spirit” performance by Celebration USA, a patriotic non-profit organization founded by Paula Burton. Celebration USA performed in Washington D.C. at the Independence Day Parade in 1995. Mary Jane Cambria will be the MC and plans to have a color guard.

The Columbus Day Address will be presented by Dr. Paul Licata, a charter member and trustee of the Renaissance Lodge. The Renaissance Lodge has chosen long time OSIA member Nina Lo Monaco Perez, the current editor of “La Campana” to receive the prestigious “Columbus Award” for her dedication to and support of Italian heritage. An accomplished singer of opera, Nina will also perform the Italian and American National Anthem at the ceremony.
Invited guests include Alberto Natale DiMauro, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute (Los Angeles) and newly appointed Consul General of Italy (Los Angeles) Giuseppe Perrone.

Other presentations in honor of Italian Heritage Month will be offered by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Mayors from the City of Orange and Santa Ana. A Wreath Cere- mony in Columbus’ honor will be conducted at the Columbus Monument in the Courtyard by Andy Pampuro, President of the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation and Renaissance Lodge.

Admission to the public ceremony is free. For directions to the Bowers Museum please contact the museum at (714)547- 3600 or visit www.bowers.org