Sunny skies and a show of force yesterday marked the city’s annual Columbus Day Parade, where a true daughter of New York took center stage.

Before she was an “American Idol” favorite, Pia Toscano was a Howard Beach girl nurturing a dream of singing stardom.

After a season of being spotlighted on “Idol” and signing a recording contract, she was still humbled to perform on a city street corner before a raucous crowd of Columbus Day revelers.

Not even concerns about Wall Street protesters marching up Fifth Avenue and possibly raining on her parade would make her miss her moment.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Toscano said. “I’ve watched it every year, and to be on a float is a dream come true. New York has always been so supportive of me, especially my Italian-Americans. It’s a dream come true.”