The Friends of Columbus hosted a Columbus Day celebration at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event kicked off the celebrations for both Columbus Day and Italian-American Heritage month, which is celebrated in October.

Politicians from around the borough, most of whom are conservatives, came out to give remarks during the event, including Councilman Robert Holden, state Senator Joseph Addabbo, former state Senator Serphin R. Maltese and Queens borough president candidate Joann Ariola. Elected officials at the event spoke about preserving the city’s five Christopher Columbus statues.