2013 Dominican Day Parade

CLICK HERE to view photos from the 2013 Dominican Day Parade

This Sunday (August 11, 2013), we celebrate the 32nd annual Dominican Day Parade. A celebration of Dominican heritage, Dominican pride, and our ever growing influence in New York City.

Spectators will line up along 6th avenue, between 36th and 52nd street — the parade is scheduled to start at 2pm, but if you wish to land a good view, get there early.

Special guests will include; Jose Peña Suazo y La Banda Gorda, Milly Quezada, Bachata-pop sensation Leslie Grace (on the Daily News float), Oro Solido, and many more to be announced this week.

WE'RE GETTING STRONG, AND GROWING FAST -- It's an election year, and as of the 2010 census there are more than 576,701 Dominicans living in New York City — out of a total population of 8,175,133. With the highest concentration of more than 150,000 in Manhattan.

Census Map of Dominicans in NYC
Interactive Census Map by WNYC
New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has always marched with a big smile, but we can also expect to see all if not most of the 2013 Mayoral Race candidates; Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio, Anthony Weiner, John Liu, Bill Thompson, and many candidates seeking other offices like Elliot Spitzer. 

And lets not forget our own elected officials; Ydanis Rodriguez, Adriano Espaillat, Grace Diaz, José Rafael Peralta, Nelson Castro (the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly), and many more.

The Dominican Day Parade was established in 1982. Back then it was marked by small celebrations which received very little attention. This Sunday, more than 500,000 people are expected to join the experience — not just Dominicans, expect to see people from many nationalities seeking to Party Like We Do.

I will be there with my camera capturing many great memories.