After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, New York City witnessed the National Puerto Rican Day Parade return on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT, celebrating
65 years of exhibiting Puerto Rican culture through music, dance and fashion. An estimate of 1.5 million people were in attendance, according to ABC 7.The parade took place along the fifth avenue and stretched from 43rd street to 79th street.
“This is a milestone year for the Parade, and our return to Fifth Avenue is yet another sign that NYC and the Puerto Rican community are strong, resilient and as vibrant as ever,” National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board Chair Louis Maldonado said.
The parade featured 38 decorated floats and 150 people dancing and marching while highlighting various aspects of Puerto Rican culture, including its African and Taino heritages. The achievements and legacy of Puerto Rico and its people were also on display.
“The 2022 Parade was dedicated to the municipality of Cidra, Puerto Rico,” ABC reported. “Known as the Pueblo de la Eterna Primavera (Town of Eternal PSring), Cidra is located in the central, mountainous region of the island and is home to approximately 40,000 cidreños.”
Cidra has a population of roughly 40,000 people with an almost 11% Black population.
Other events took place before the parade. On May 28, the celebration kicked off with a street festival on 152nd street and featured cultural activities, music, entertainment for all ages and food. The day before the parade was a scholarship gala fundraiser. Since 2014, the parade’s scholarship has awarded Puerto Rican college students over $1.2 million.