New Yorkers who still had energy left after the Knicks championship had no shortage of reasons to celebrate Sunday, as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade brought vibrant music and color to the streets of Manhattan.
Tens of thousands of people packed the sidewalks along Fifth Avenue beneath clear, sunny skies to cheer on marchers dressed in red, white, and blue. Among this year’s featured honorees were rapper and singer Daddy Yankee, who took on the role of grand marshal, and actor Anthony Ramos, known for being part of the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani made an appearance that drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, waving a small Puerto Rico flag while wearing a Knicks jersey layered over a shirt and tie.
Billed as the largest cultural celebration in the United States, the parade pays tribute to the achievements and contributions of Puerto Ricans both on the island and across the globe. The event has been a fixture on New York City’s June calendar since the late 1950s.
U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and jazz musician Charlie Sepulveda were each honored with lifetime achievement awards during the festivities.
The parade route stretched along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street, covering a total of 35 city blocks through the heart of Manhattan.
Ahead of Sunday’s parade, a National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholarship Gala took place Friday evening, spotlighting student achievement and academic excellence.
