Nearly 50,000 spectators are expected to line the route that extends from 161st to 184th streets along the famed thoroughfare.
“The parade celebrates the important contributions the hundreds of thousands of Dominicans living in New York make every day to the vitality of this great city,” parade co-president Felipe Febles said.
Elected officials from the Dominican Republic will join local leaders at the event that through show stopping salsa bands and meringue floats will boast of the spectators’ rich culture.
Referencing the borough’s vast Dominican population, the parade’s Grand Marshal and 1199 SEIU President, George Gresham, said, “They form a very vibrant community within our union, with a very strong bond to both this city and their island.”
To further demonstrate support among their fellow Dominicans, members of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East will also provide five scholarships of $1,000 each to Bronx CUNY students.
Prior to the parade, Comptroller William Thompson will host an authentic Dominican breakfast at El Rey del Marisco Restaurant, complete with fried cheese and salami, mangu, casbe with olive oil and garlic, coffee con leche and native fruits.
The morning feast is co-sponsored by 1199 SEIU Local 32 BJ and Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
Dominican Day Parade organizer Rosa Ayala further explained the event would broadcast live throughout the United States as well as in Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic for four hours.
Gresham said, “On the day of the parade we will all be proud to be Dominicans.”
