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Puerto Rican Day Parade Draws Millions
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 14, 2010
Modified Jun 14, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 14, 2010
Modified Jun 14, 2010
Share
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Everybody was Boricua along Fifth Avenue yesterday for the 53rd Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Over three million spectators were estimated in attendance, standing several-people deep to get a look at Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, and parade royalty Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Many parade-goers began lining up hours before the starting time of 11 a.m. to get prime spots, and though the parade was limited to five hours and the route was cut, people were as excited as ever. Claudia Albarado, wearing a shirt reading "When I die and Heaven does not want me, take me straight to Puerto Rico,"told WCBS, "I see all my people here. I'm very happy." However, the parade wasn't complete without some SNAFUs.
Though Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony were crowned the King and Queen of the parade, their ride was slightly less glamorous than what you'd normally expect for royalty. The two were demoted to riding in a golf cart after their cream-colored Chevy Impala convertible died near West 69th Street. Still, Anthony said it was an honor to be crowned King, even if he was a last minute replacement. The title had initially been rewarded to telenovela star Osvaldo Rios, who dropped out after controversy over time he spent in jail for beating his girlfriend.
The parade also ended with some tangles with the law. The NYPD reported 107 parade-related arrests, including an arrest of some Latin Kings who attempted to march. Just two of the arrests were felonies.
Tagged
jennifer lopez
marc anthony
Osvaldo Rios
parade
puerto rican day parade
puerto rico
Jaya Saxena
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