Westchester to Kick Off Italian-American Heritage Month Tomorrow at Kensico Dam Plaza

To commemorate Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, which is celebrated to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, a flag raising ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 5 at 3:15 p.m. at Kensico Dam Plaza. The heritage month is in October to coincide with Columbus Day, the American national holiday traditionally celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Many Italians-American residents live in Westchester County because this is where their ancestors chose to settle down and work hard to provide for their families, dating all the way back to the early 1900s at Kensico Dam as it was built by Italian immigrant masons with stone quarried from the adjacent Cranberry Lake Preserve. I feel especially close to this part of our history as my great-grandparents were part of that migrate wave, from Benevento, Italy. Raising the Italian flag at Kensico Dam Plaza is a reminder of the important role Italians had in making Westchester what it is today.”

Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor said, “Kensico Dam Plaza is home to where we celebrate many of the cultures that make up Westchester County. Having the Italian flag here for October representing Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is just one way parks can help honor the diversity of Westchester.

Italian-American Heritage Month celebrates the distinguished cultural contributions of Americans with Italian lineage. 

Tuesday, October 5

3:15 p.m.

Kensico Dam Plaza

1 Bronx River Parkway

Valhalla, NY 10595