The 2023 Italian-American Heritage Parade takes place in South Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Hundreds of people gathered in Marconi Plaza Sunday for the annual Italian-American Heritage Parade and Festival, an event that was broadcast live right here on 6abc and co-hosted by 6abc's own Alicia Vitarelli.

The event featured music, dancing, vendors, and plenty of authentic Italian food.

"I like the sausage and peppers," said Donna Proudfoot from Collingswood, New Jersey. "I'm going to get a slice of pizza today I think," her friend John said.

Gabriella Tomasello prepared for long lines at her cannoli truck where she made delicious treats.

"They are. And they're big. And they're filled all the way through," said Gabriella Tomasello from Mannino's Cannoli Express.

The shells are imported from Sicily, which made them a popular find with this crowd, where celebrating Italian heritage was the focus of the festival.

"I like the fact that everybody comes together as a family, there's no division and everybody is all together," said Tomasello.

Organizers of the event say this is the most excited they've been in years. One of the reasons, the Christopher Columbus statue is unveiled.

It's been a point of contention in the city for years - with the city at one point boxing it up and beginning to remove it.

That ended last December when friends of Marconi plaza won a legal fight to keep it in place.

"We're thankful that with city officials and the 1492 Society and other people that have worked behind the scenes, were now able to get back to having a strong parade and a strong festival," said Louis Galdo, the chairman of the festival.

The festival also paid tribute to its longtime grand marshal Jerry Blavat, "The Geator with the Heater," a beloved DJ in Philadelphia who passed away earlier this year.

"He was the heart and soul of this parade. I mean, really of South Philly and this city," said 6abc Action News anchor Alicia Vitarelli.