Chicago has a Columbus Day parade. There's a section of the University Village neighborhood in Chicago (around the University of Illinois campus) that's known as Little Italy because of the restaurants and shops located there. It also has the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. There's an Italian American community on the northwest side of Chicago, too.
I wish THanksgiving was observed on this day, as it is in Canada. For me, Thanksgiving in late November seems to get in the rush of preparations for Christmas. Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday - gratitude, church, family, food and no pressure around gift-giving.
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