The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is going to wind its way through Manhattan this Sunday, June 12.
It's lauded as the largest display of ethnic pride in the entire country and like many other years, it's going to be a whirl of salsa music, traditional plena, crazy floats, famous NYC-based Puerto Ricans, and a whole lot of flags (and flag capes). And this year's celebration will also have a large array of honorees including Rosario Dawson and Carmelo Anthony, who are going to be the King and Queen of the parade.
So if you're a proud Nuyorican who wants to celebrate the Island's heritage and history in New York City there are several ways to go about it.
Go to the parade:
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is along 5th Avenue and goes from 79th Street to 44th Street in Manhattan. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Head to the route early to stake out a decent spot.
In the case that you can't go out and enjoy the festivities and bacalaitos in person, watch the parade on television. And if you'll be glued to your laptop for the weekend, live stream the parade here on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Brooklyn Parade/After Party:
El Grito de Sunset Park will be hosting their 2nd annual Sunset Park Puerto Rican Day Parade and festival on the same day as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in Midtown. It will begin at 5 p.m. and runs from 59th Street and 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. Marchers in the parade will go down to 44th Avenue and enter Sunset Park at 7:30 p.m. for the festival.
If you're a curious Brooklynite or a fellow Boricua, you'll see Bomba y Plena performances, colorful vejigantes, and other fun costumes. This particular parade and festival is great for anyone who wants to don their jibaro hat and party, but can't make it out to Manhattan.
Go to events:
There are often events that lead up to the official Puerto Rican Day Parade.
► LGBT Ricans: El Encuentro
When: Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Shilberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, 2180 Third Ave., Upper East Side
This panel will discuss the the relationship between marriage equality and LGBT rights for Puerto Ricans. Notable figures like San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito. For more information about the event, go here.
► 32nd New York Salsa Festival
When: Saturday, June 11, 8 p.m.
Where: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Fort Greene
This festival will feature and have music from artists and groups who defined the genre and who sing about the unique relationship salsa has with both NYC and Puerto Rico. They include Willie Colon, Jerry Rivera, and Tito Rojas. For more info and tickets, go here.
Eating:
Several neighborhoods in the city have an abundance of Puerto Rican cuisine, but no other type of restaurant screams festival food like a cuchifrito (fried finger foods) spot. They sell refreshing tamarind juice, crunchy pork skins, savory mofongo, and mouth watering sorullitos. Here are a few locations to check out:
► Cuchifritos, 168 E 116th Street, East Harlem
Try their relleno de papa for a hearty on the go "snack."
► La Isla, 1439 Myrtle Avenue, Bushwick
Try their arroz con pollo if you'd like something filling.
► La Isla Cuchifritos, 6 Graham Ave., Williamsburg
If you've never had an alcapurria, buy one here.
