The borough’s booming Domincan-American population will have it’s day in the sun this weekend as the 24th Annual Bronx Dominican Parade steps off down the Grand Concourse.
Thousands are expected to show their Dominican pride this Sunday, July 28, to cheer on nearly 2,000 marchers and musicians along the borough’s grand boulevard.
This year’s celebration is set to start at noon along the Grand Concourse, between 161st and 184th Streets.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. kicked off Bronx Dominican Day Parade Week 2013, with a press conference at the Bronx County Building on Monday, July 22.
And in true Bronx fashion, festivities as colorful as the culture itself were already underway in advance of the parade.
“The Bronx Dominican Day Parade has become one of the most well attended events in the city and the entire country for the past 24 years,” he said. “This event has been an opportunity for our Dominican brothers and sisters to get together and celebrate their rich culture and heritage along the Grand Concourse. I cannot write a book of success without including the hard work, dedication and the great contributions made by the Dominican community to help make the Bronx a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
This year’s celebration features weekend concerts, conferences, the annual Gala Banquet, el Abrazo Dominicano, and other events starting on Friday, July 26, culminating with the parade on Sunday.
The parade has gained popularity in the borough, as the Bronx has the largest population of Dominicans in all five boroughs.
Organizers said the parade will outnumber last month’s Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade.
After the fall of dictator Rafael Trujillo, a wave of native Dominicans arrived in the borough, carving out new lives for themselves.
Since then, the number of Dominicans has steadily climbed to 247,291, according to U.S. Census figures.
“The Dominican community in the Bronx is the largest Dominican community outside of the Dominican Republic, the census show us we have more dominicans living in the borough than in Washington Heights,” said Diaz. “That is important to note and as borough president, that makes me happy.”
According to a spokesperson from the NYC Dept. of City Planning, more Dominicans live in NYC than in any city outside the Dominican Republic.
Diaz said he recently took a trip to visit Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic, where he was given a tour of various cities.
The borough president said he is currently working on developing more business deals between the Bronx and the Dominican Republic.
For a full calendar of events, please visit www.paradadominicanadelbronx.org.
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
