Sunset Park Puerto Rican Parade and Festival is one of Brooklyn’s Puerto Rican Day celebrations.
Sunset Park Puerto Rican Parade and Festival 2024
The Sunset Park Puerto Rican Parade and Festival 2024 is near the entrance to Sunset Park on 5th Avenue at 43rd St; in Sunset Park, Brooklyn; on Sunday, June 9, 2024. The Parade starts at 5pm. The Festival starts at 6:30pm. FREE. 🇵🇷
Las Calles y Las Playas son del Pueblo
This year’s theme is “Las Calles y Las Playas son del Pueblo” (The Streets and Beaches Belong to the People). It’s a reaction to the displacement of Puerto Ricans by gentrification in New York City and on the island where Americans are buying up property and raising the cost of living for Puerto Ricans. On the island, many property sellers won’t even sell to Puerto Ricans, only to Americans. Where are we supposed to live?
The statement, “We Are Still Here!” is a reference to the Indigenous lament. Colonizers say the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean died out. That’s not true. They just stopped counting us in their census. We married in, and Taíno traditions carry on in Puerto Rican community life. La herencia Taína (Taíno heritage) is what makes Caribbean beauty queens so gorgeous.
Bombazo
The Festival features an open community Bombazo (Bomba Puertorriqueña drum, song, and dance community gathering).
If you don’t know bomba Puertorriqueña, it’s beautiful to watch and fun to join in. The dancer plays a flirting game with the lead drummer. Both the women’s and men’s dances are wonderful. If you are lonely, join a bomba crew. You will find yourself in the most loving community. Bienvenido a Puerto Rico!
2024 Honorees
Wanda Lopez Ramirez is la Madrina (godmother)
Juan ‘Juango’ Guiterrez is el Padrino (godfather)
Rescate Playas Borinquen is an Honored organization
El Maestro is an Honored organization
Sunset Park Puerto Rican Parade and Festival
The Parade and Festival were founded in 2015. Sunset Park is known for its Mexican American community, but it has a vibrant Puerto Rican community too.
More Information
Facebook @SunsetParkPRparade