A Beautiful Flag Raised by Millions at the Puerto Rican Day Parade

Dancing at the Puerto Rican Day Parade

The sizzling hot Sunday afternoon was only matched by the blazing hot salsa music and dancers showing off their moves at the Puerto Rican National Day Parade. This is by far one of the largest and loudest parades the city hosts. An estimated 1 million people packed the parade route on 5th Ave from 44th to 79th Sts. and waved their flags in approval for the over 10,000 marchers. They were not disappointed as celebrities as Grand Marshall actress Rita Moreno, actress and parade Queen Roselyn Sanchez, and salsa singer and Parade King Victor Manuelle got the crowd worked up in what would be a day of celebration of culture, history, music and love of everything Puerto Rican. Even Mayor DeBlasio got in the mix and took a selfie with a reveler. Each year a different pueblo in Puerto Rico is highlighted to display some cultural expression and history. This year the pueblo of Anasco sent a large group with dancers, singers and a float commemorating when the Spaniards and Taino Indians met in the Rio Grande of Anasco. They sent a salsa band that really got into the moment and played with lots of energy.

Grand Marshall Rita Moreno and her two grandsons

Parade King Victor Manuelle

Parade Queen Roselyn Sanchez

Mayor de Blasio getting in on a selfie

As in most large parades as this, there are always groups that seek to raise awareness of social issues. There were calls to release Oscar Lopez Rivera from a 75 year prison sentence. A large group asked Pres. Obama why funding for healthcare for Puerto Ricans is less than other Americans. For the first time the League of Women’s Voters had their float and encouraged women to register to vote and have a voice in our political system. Another float was expressing the push for a $15 minimum wage to help improve the income disparity in the city.

Taino Indian from Anasco

Cute dancer from Anasco

Costumes of Hatillo

One float that got the biggest applause was the crowd favorite with Tito El Bambino performing his popular songs. This years theme was to highlight the African contribution to Puerto Rican culture. One group that distinguished themselves were the group from El Barrio in Spanish Harlem called Taino Towers. They played some classic salsa songs that had the crowd singing with them. Even Batman got in on the action when a float playing live salsa music got the Dark Knight to show off some moves. Another float had conga drummers getting dancers all worked up. They were fun to watch but think they would have been better dancing on the street instead of on a float. An interesting float payed homage to the masks of Hatillo with people dressed as though they were in an Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole. They were having fun. It’s always a nice surprise to hear some good music from an unexpected source like that of the Hispanic Society of NYPD float. They tore it up and the crowd loved it. Puerto Ricans love their cars and there lots of customized wheels on the parade route….even a pair of the hot new Slingshots made it to the parade. And for all you music lovers there was one van with doors of speakers on top of speakers. It was just crazy and loud and just beautiful. You know its beautiful when three generations of a family can come down to Central Park and 5th Ave. to see a whole bunch of loud and fun people letting everyone know just how proud they are to be Puerto Rican. Yo soy Boricua pa que tu lo sepa!!