The 55th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York took place this weekend, while corresponding for Being Latino, we got to march in the celebration care of our friends at Fox News Latino. While I tend to go to the festival every year, and though not my first time marching, it’s been about five or six years since I’ve actually attended the parade. With an approximate 80k people in attendance, there did not seem to be as many crowd control issues as in the past, which made the experience thoroughly more enjoyable overall.
The overwhelming sense of orgullo was just as evident as the ocean of banderas that blanketed the streets of the city. Generations coming together and honoring our ancestors who set the path for us to walk on, and the community that binds us, a heart-warming reminder of the inspiration. From the first parade in 1958, the mission has always been “to empower the Puerto Rican community through promoting economic development, education, social advancement and environmental awareness. [Emphasizing] the achievements made by thousands of Puerto Ricans in business, government, and industry to inspire our youth and instill a strong sense of self-worth and pride in our community.” states National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
This year’s theme of the parade was Higher Education, naming the President of Hostos Community College, Felix Matos Rodriguez, Ph. D. as its Grand Marshal, and Dr. Manuel J. Fernos, President of Inter-American University, Puerto Rico as Padrino, and Maria from Sesame Street as Madrina. As with every year, a town from the island is selected to be honored this year’s being Guayama, known as El Pueblo de los Brujos y Ciudad Bruja. Drawing many celebrities, one of the most anticipated being Super Bowl Winner, NY Giants Football Player Victor Cruz. In addition to the bands, food and unidad, no matter what pueblo or country anyone is from, todos somos familia, and this weekend everyone shouted loud and proud, “YO SOY BORICUA, PA’ QUE TU LO SEPA!”
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