Marchers, spectators celebrate 2024 National Dominican Day Parade in New York City
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The National Dominican Day Parade took to the streets once again on Sunday in a celebration of culture, pride and community in New York City.
This year, marchers and spectators celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the parade, which ran along the Avenue of Americas (Sixth Avenue) from 37th Street and 55th Street.
The annual event celebrates Dominican culture, folklore and traditions with parade floats, musical guests and dignitaries.
Among those honored at the parade this year include Grupo Rica CEO and President Pedro Brache Alvarez, who was this year's El Padrino, as well as Channel 7's very own weekend morning news anchor, Pedro Rivera.
ALSO WATCH | Eyewitness News Anchor Pedro Rivera shows off a slice of Dominican culture at Bronx restaurant, Caridad
The theme for this year's parade was "Merengue: Nuestro Ritmo." According to officials, the theme aimed to recognize merengue as more than a musical genre, and rather a vital part of the Dominican identity.
"We're celebrating 175 years of its existence. So, we're going to share with the community its roots, where did the ritmo come from, where did the rhythm originally come from, explore the initial instruments used," said Gregoria Feliciano, one of the board members of the National Dominican Day Parade. "Merengue really evokes in us a sense of joy, unity, pride and hope. It has a really festive melody."
This year's Grand Marshall was Los Hermanos Rosario, a band known for merengue.
ALSO WATCH | Previewing the 2024 National Dominican Day Parade
The parade isn't just a celebration of Dominican heritage -- it's also a time to fundraise and help young students achieve their academic goals through its scholarship program.
Since starting the program in 2015, the National Dominican Day Parade has committed over $1 million in funding to over 200 students across 20 states. By offering scholarships, parade organizers and board members aim to help students of Dominican descent attain a college degree.
2023 COVERAGE | National Dominican Day Parade celebrates 41 years in New York City
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