Maria Ritacco set a plate full of sharp provolone cheese and homemade crackers in the center of the table in the back room of her Oak Street store Tuesday afternoon, then sat down with a smile and a small sigh. Across the long oval table, covered with a waterproof tablecloth, sat her only daughter, Melisa, and her middle son, Robert. Her oldest son, John, sat beside her, while John's son, Anthony, one of Maria's five grandchildren, lingered nearby.

It was just days before the annual Westerly-Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade — a local display of all things Italian — and the family was gathered at Ritacco's Market on 84 Oak St. for a bit of a celebration. Not only will there be a grand Ritacco float in today's parade, but this month is a milestone: It's been 50 years since Maria and her late husband, Umile, opened their Italian specialty market.