By Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Thousands of Dominicans turned Sixth Avenue into a Caribbean party as they danced in the nation's 28th annual parade Sunday.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and other local politicians marched shoulder to shoulder with musicians, dancers and Dominican personalities from 36th Street to 56th Street.
"I'm wearing a costume just like one we'd wear in the Independence Day parade back in the Dominican Republic," said Marisol Ruiz, 28, from the Bronx, who was dancing in the parade for the third year running.
"It's exciting to come out here and dance and celebrate our culture, and raise money for causes back home."
Alex, 50, from Washington Heights, was parading with his son, Alejandro, 7, for the first time this year. "It was a lot of fun, and very hot,"said Alejandro.
"After this, we're going up to Washington Heights, to where the real party is," said Alex. "Here, it's great, but it's very restricted."
Upper Manhattan is home to the largest Dominican population outside the Caribbean nation, with New York City playing home to more than 400,000 Dominicans.
