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
ICE detains man accused of sexually assaulting minor after hospital parking lot birth

ICE Detains Suspect in Hospital Parking Lot Birth Linked to Minor’s Sexual Assault

Immigration authorities have taken steps to detain a Mexican national facing allegations…
Joseph 'Troubles' Matos wanted: $50,000 reward in connection to 2021 murder of Chicago National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal: FBI

FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Information on Joseph ‘Troubles’ Matos in 2021 Chicago National Guardsman Murder Case

CHICAGO — Authorities continue their search for Joseph Matos, a suspected member…
Shocking footage shows Ukrainian drones hunting down Russian troops sneaking behind enemy lines on horseback

Unbelievable Drone Footage: Ukrainian Drones Track Russian Troops’ Stealthy Horseback Movement

In an audacious yet ill-fated attempt, a group of disheveled Russian soldiers…
Fugitive caregivers finally caught after disabled girl, 14, suffered horrific starvation death

Fugitive Caregivers Arrested After Tragic Death of 14-Year-Old Girl Due to Starvation

Authorities in Washington state have apprehended two caregivers accused of the murder…
Authorities investigating large fire after explosion at East Texas oil well near Nacogdoches Tuesday morning

Authorities Launch Investigation into Major Blaze Following Explosion at East Texas Oil Well Near Nacogdoches

An explosion at a natural gas or oil well site in Texas…
Pentagon releases dramatic footage of moment US forces intercept sanctioned oil tanker

Watch: US Forces Intercept Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Tense Encounter

The Department of Defense has unveiled footage showing U.S. military forces intercepting…
Criminal charges may be filed after Florida teen found dead on cruise ship, court filing suggests

Teen Stepbrother Denies Charges in Shocking Cruise Ship Death of Anna Kepner

Last year, the lifeless body of 18-year-old Anna Kepner was discovered hidden…
Archeologist thinks new tech might reveal where Lost Ark is hidden at last

Archaeologist Suggests Advanced Technology Could Finally Uncover Location of the Lost Ark

Calling all adventurers and history buffs—there’s a new mystery afoot that might…
Nearly 8,000 people died or disappeared on migration routes in 2025: 'Collective failure'

Tragic Toll: 8,000 Lives Lost or Missing on Migration Paths in 2025, Highlighting Global Shortcomings

GENEVA, April 21 (Reuters) – A staggering 8,000 individuals lost their lives…
NYC parents outraged at new 2026-27 school calendar — with kids in latest-ever return this fall

NYC Parents Express Concerns Over 2026-27 School Calendar with Historically Late Fall Start

Parents of public school students in New York City are expressing dissatisfaction…
Hundreds of mothballs illegally scattered on Florida beach

Illegal Dumping of Mothballs Found on Florida Beach Raises Environmental Concerns

Florida authorities suspect that mothballs were scattered along the beach to keep…
Mexico pyramid shooter who took hostages and killed 1 is identified

Breaking: Identity of Mexico Pyramid Shooter Revealed – Hostage Crisis Unfolds

A tragic incident unfolded atop a historic Mexican pyramid on Monday, where…