Finally, the Puerto Rican National Day Parade is back.
The annual extravaganza that celebrates Puerto Rican culture largely harkens back to its traditional form on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Sundays at 11 a.m. M. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers expect more than a million spectators to witness floats, music and dance as the show moves from E. 44th St. to East 79th Street. On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the event.
Spectators applaud during the 61st Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday, June 10, 2018, in Manhattan. (James Keevom/New York Daily News)
“The gallery’s board of directors and the community in general are very excited about Sunday’s celebration,” Luis Maldonado, Gallery Board Chairman, told Viva.
“This isn't the first time we've been back after just two years because of COVID, but we're celebrating an important milestone in the program's history: It's our 65th anniversary. Celebrating 65 years of showcasing Puerto Rico's accomplishments, celebrating amazing people and highlighting key issues that matter to our community.
"And above all, show the city and the world the best we are as a community and as a people."
The pandemic forced the march to move to mini-gathers on Fifth Avenue in 2020 and 2021, where television stations in New York and Puerto Rico broadcast two-hour specials to help people truly celebrate the cause.
Sunday's grand return to large-scale festivities will highlight the power of the big stars. Latin Grammy-winning singer Nicky Jam, known for her songs like "El Perdón" and "X," will help lead the race as this year's King of Show.
Nicky Jam will lead the way as this year's King of the Show. (Taimy Alvarez/AP)
Brooklyn-born radio host Ingie Martinez, whose nearly two-decade feats include Hot 97 and Power 105.1, will be Goure City, or godmother, while Grammy-nominated rapper Fat Joe is best known for his songs. The Way Up and Lean Back, about to be the godfather.
The show is led by US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
Parade participants wave Puerto Rican flags on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan during the 2019 annual Puerto Rican Parade (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for The New York Daily News)
Founded in 1958, the gallery aims to promote culture, arts, and education in Puerto Rico while raising awareness of important issues. The event takes place on the second Sunday in June, with this year's parade dedicated to the municipality of Cedra, Puerto Rico.
Organizers will also hold a fundraiser at Central Park Zoo on Saturday to promote the scholarship program, which supports students in Puerto Rico. More than $1.2 million has been awarded through the fund since 2014.
Sunday's event will also celebrate rock 'n' roll Hall of Famer Michael Carapello and honor the accomplishments of a lifetime, while Robin de Jesus, the original Broadway cast member of "In the Heights" and star of last year's musical "Tick, Tick...Bubble"! - You will be recognized as a major.
Puerto Rico's National Day Parade is the latest high-profile parade to return to New York amid the pandemic. Patrick's Day Parade returned to Fifth Avenue in March, while the first Japanese parade was held in the city last month after a two-year delay. On June 26, the New York City Gay Parade will be an entirely personal event after it has been at least partially visible for the past two years.
Maldonado said the return of the Puerto Rican Parade "also indicates how resilient New Yorkers and Puerto Ricans have been over the past two years."
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