MAIN Holidays & Observances Puerto Rican Day Parade

Get ready for one of New York's most colorful and festive parades — as New Yoricans celebrate the Puerto Rican Day Parade on June 8, 2008.

If last year was any indication, expect to see more than 80,000 people march and close to 3 million line the parade route for a major Puerto Rican love-fest.

Although celebrations of Puerto Rican heritage take place in cities across the U.S, New York's own Puerto Rican Day Parade is, in fact, the city's largest parade and second biggest public celebration after the Labor Day West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn.

The first New York Puerto Rican Day Parade was held in Spanish Harlem in Manhattan in 1958, and from its humble beginnings grew to reflect not only a growing number of New York-born residents of Puerto Rican descent, but an increased awareness of Puerto Rican roots, culture, and tradition.

The parade marches 80,000-strong along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street and includes delegates from various towns of Puerto Rico and U.S. states across the country.

In a testament to its popularity, the spectacle annually receives the highest local Nielsen ratings for stations in the New York area when it is televised for three hours on local channel FOX 5 with afternoon coverage on WOR Channel 9.

This year, Puerto Rican labor leader Dennis Rivera has been named Grand Marshal of the 51st edition of the parade, joined by a host of Puerto Rican celebrities. Last year's parade saw appearances by Reggaeton singer Daddy Yankee, and superstar couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, although the official 2008 celebrity list has yet to be announced.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade - The official site with complete information on this year's festivities in New York with more on sponsored celebrations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx, plus a guide to Puerto Rican celebrations nationwide, photo galleries, information on the Parade Queen contest & entry form. In English and Español.

Puerto Rican Day Parade - New York's local FOX station with information on this year's TV broadcast, related features, photos & videos.

Puerto Rican Day Parade - Good overview from Wikipedia with a complete history of the New York parade, list of famous performers, information on this year's celebration, related links & news stories.

Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade - The official site with photos, video news & updates on this year's parade with a complete schedule of events.

Puerto Rican Day Parades & Events Nationwide

also see -> Puerto Rico Travel Guides | Puerto Rico Beaches

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