The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is an essential summer event in June in NYC, that sadly has been canceled the past two years due to COVID-19.
Luckily, the beloved parade is finally making a comeback for 2022, set to take place along Fifth Ave this weekend, Sunday, June 12.
“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,” said NPRDP Board Chair, Louis Maldonado. “The NPRDP Board of Directors invites all Boricuas in the New York City area, Puerto Rico and across the patria extendida (diaspora) to join us on June 12 to exclaim ¡WEPA! and sing ‘Qué bonita bandera,’ just as we have for the last 64 years.”
The parade normally honors a location within the Puerto Rican mainland and also a P.R. community here in the United States. The 2022 Parade will be dedicated to the municipality of Cidra, Puerto Rico which is located in the mountainous region of the island, and the Greater Philadelphia Area for the U.S., home to more than 250,000 Puerto Ricans.
Here’s everything else you need to know about the time-honored tradition:
What is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is a NYC celebration that honors Puerto Rican heritage and culture, plus the renowned achievements of Puerto Rican individuals with music, dance and themed floats. This year’s parade also celebrates its 65th anniversary, as the founders first marched in New York City in 1958.. It draws an estimated 1.5 million spectators each year.
When is the Parade taking place in 2022?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade normally takes place on the second Sunday of the month of June. This year it falls on Sunday, June 12.
What time is the Puerto Rican Day Parade?
It begins at 11 a.m. It normally lasts about two hours.
What is the Parade route?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade marches down NYC’s Fifth Avenue from 43rd Street up to 79th St.
Who is the Grand Marshal this year?
This year’s Grand Marshal is the U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. There are also a number of special parade honorees including: Latin GRAMMY Award-winning singer and songwriter Nicky Jam (Parade King), “the Voice of New York” and Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Angie Martinez (Parade Madrina), GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fat Joe (Parade Padrino), and many more — you can see the full list here.
If I can’t attend in person, where else can I watch it?
The celebration will be broadcast live on WABC-TV, Channel 7, starting at noon EDT. The Parade will also be broadcast on the ABC affiliated station in Puerto Rico, Telecinco (Channel 5) and streamed on the station’s website, abc7NY.com, and on the station’s free news and connected TV apps on Amazon FireTV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
You can find any other info. you’re looking for on the National Puerto Rican Day Parade website here.