Columbus Day Parade in North End — Gallery

While the second Monday in October is reserved for celebrating the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, the celebration in the North End of Boston started a day early. Atlantic Avenue and Hanover Street were lined with people on the Sunday before Columbus Day, both young and old, locals and tourists to honor something more than just the discovery of the land they call home — their heritage. "I've been coming to watch this parade for most of my whole life," Jan Balducci, a native

While the second Monday in October is reserved for celebrating the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, the celebration in the North End of Boston started a day early. Atlantic Avenue and Hanover Street were lined with people on the Sunday before Columbus Day, both young and old, locals and tourists to honor something more than just the discovery of the land they call home — their heritage. "I've been coming to watch this parade for most of my whole life," Jan Balducci, a native…