Thousands flock to NYC's famed Puerto Rican Day Parade: 'It's beautiful'
Share this @internewscast.com

The Puerto Rican Day Parade attracted vast crowds to Manhattan on Sunday, where attendees proudly showcased their heritage during what organizers hailed as the nation’s largest cultural festival.

Bomba music resonated throughout the Fifth Avenue parade route all day under the sunny skies, with a joyful crowd dressed in a sea of red, white, and blue.

“Everyone is enjoying themselves. When we represent Puerto Rico, we carry their heart,” expressed Chris Santiago, 23, from The Bronx, who has been attending the event annually since childhood.

“I’m celebrating the way Puerto Ricans are celebrating: having a good time, drinking too much alcohol and just having fun and representing Puerto Rico,” he said. “Everybody knows if you’re Puerto Rican, you already know how we get down.”

Santiago wasn’t wrong. The party was pumping from Midtown through the Upper East Side with attendees including Puerto Rican super rapper Bad Bunny.

Dancing pervaded among the young and old in what 30-year-old Destiny Napoleoni called “beautiful.

“You see everybody out here. We’re representing ourselves, our history, all of that. But this is us,” she said. “We get to sit here and represent ourselves, love ourselves regardless no matter what race. But today it’s all of us out here, all one, together, united.”

Sunday’s parade was the 68th annual event.

It wasn’t clear how many people turned out for this year’s parade, but organizers had predicted more than 1 million attendees and participants.

Among them was 35-year-old Lisa Santiago, a Lower East Side native who previously attended the parade with her father every year. She celebrated Sunday for the first time without him after he recently passed away.

“We would just kind of celebrate here, listen to the music, dance, pass the rum, the Bacardi,” said Santiago, who was wearing a baseball jersey and gold Yankees pendant that belonged to her dad — saying she felt like his spirit was dancing alongside her.

She said she had mixed emotions but believes that her dad was with her in spirit.

“It’s a lot. To be honest, a little bit of sadness with so much joy. He is [here]. He definitely is. Believe me, he is. Every single time I wave the flag,” she said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump Announces That National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Has Passed Away After D.C. Terrorist Attack

Tragic Loss: National Guard’s Sarah Beckstrom Dies Following D.C. Attack, Confirms Trump

Tragic news has emerged. President Donald Trump has just confirmed the heartbreaking…
Father of fallen National Guard member calls her death a 'horrible tragedy' in heartbreaking post

Father of Deceased National Guard Member Describes Her Passing as a ‘Horrible Tragedy’ in Heartfelt Message

In a deeply emotional Facebook post shared on Thursday, Gary Beckstrom announced…
Tyler Thompson ID'd as woman arrested after video shows dog being thrown over fence in plastic bag in Anaheim, California

Woman Identified as Tyler Thompson Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Dog Over Fence in Anaheim Video Incident

Anaheim, Calif. — A disturbing incident has led to the arrest of…
Details emerge on CIA unit alleged National Guard shooter served with in Afghanistan

New Revelations: Former National Guardsman’s Ties to CIA Unit in Afghanistan Uncovered

In a chilling incident just before Thanksgiving, an Afghan national named Rahmanullah…
US passenger goes missing while on shore during Caribbean cruise

U.S. Passenger Disappears During Caribbean Cruise Shore Excursion: Urgent Search Underway

A 55-year-old American woman disappeared during a Caribbean cruise tour after stepping…
Chicago-area doctors worry over subclade K flu strain ahead of Thanksgiving 2025 holiday

Chicago Doctors Sound Alarm on Emerging K Flu Strain Threatening Thanksgiving 2025 Travel Plans

ELMHURST, Ill. — As the holiday season approaches, a surge of concern…
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dead after DC shooting: 'Highly respected'

Tragic Loss: Respected National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Dies in DC Shooting

Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the National Guard from West Virginia,…
Ex-FBI special agent explains Afghan vetting failures in wake of National Guard ambush: ‘Ticking time bomb’

Former FBI Special Agent Analyzes Afghan Vetting Shortcomings Following National Guard Ambush: A ‘Ticking Time Bomb

The recent attack on two National Guard members close to the White…
Fuzzy Zoeller, two-time major champion haunted by racist joke about Tiger Woods, dies at 74

Golf Legend Fuzzy Zoeller, Known for His Major Wins and Controversial Tiger Woods Remark, Passes Away at 74

Fuzzy Zoeller, celebrated for his vibrant personality and two major golf victories,…
Animal shelters and EveryPet team up for Duval County pet microchip clinic Saturday

Microchip Your Pet: Join EveryPet and Duval County Shelters for a Life-Saving Clinic This Saturday!

In a collaborative effort, the Jacksonville Humane Society and Jacksonville Animal Care…
Amazon warns customers of scams ahead of Black Friday shopping rush

Amazon Alerts Customers to Potential Scams Before Black Friday Shopping Surge

As the holiday shopping season ramps up, Amazon is advising its users…
Nigerian children as young as 5 among hundreds kidnapped, nun says

Tragic Rise in Kidnappings: Nigerian Children, Some Just 5, Among Victims

A significant number of children abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria…