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NYC's Dominican Day Parade returns Sunday in Manhattan. Merengue is this year's theme.
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Aug 10, 2024
Modified Aug 10, 2024
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Lev Radin / Pacific Press / LightRocket via Getty Images
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Aug 10, 2024
Modified Aug 10, 2024
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The National Dominican Day Parade, which draws thousands of people to Manhattan each year to celebrate the culture of the Dominican Republic and its diaspora in New York and beyond, returns this Sunday for its 42nd iteration.
This year’s theme spotlights the music and dance of merengue, a cornerstone of Dominican culture and identity over the centuries. There are more than 1 million Dominican Americans in the New York metro area, according to CUNY’s Dominican Studies Institute, which calls New York City the “hub of the Dominican population in the U.S.”
“With merengue, it's like the original of what we started with, the mix of the music from Spain and Africa, rhythms and some different instruments,” said Cristina Contreras, chair of the parade’s board of directors. “But it's like the main, main, main rhythm that we identify with.”
Contreras added that the long-standing parade offers a way for Dominican Americans, especially younger ones, to feel a connection with Dominican traditions.
“Even though they understand culturally and we raised them with most of our culture, some of them are not really connected with our original beliefs and original culture, music, food, folklore,” she said. “So it's good that somehow we get them involved in this acknowledgement, this celebration, this richness that we hear here, so they feel part of the bigger picture.”
Here’s what you need to know about the parade, including when and where it’s happening, who’s participating, and street closures.
When does the parade start?
This year’s Dominican Day Parade begins at noon on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Where can I catch it?
The parade runs along Sixth Avenue from 36th to 55th streets in Midtown Manhattan.
Participants will gather in three areas on or near the route, including Sixth Avenue between 37th and 38th streets, 36th Street between Broadway and Fifth Avenue, and 37th and 38th streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues.
Is there a livestream?
If you can’t be there in person, the parade’s organizers are providing a livestream on their YouTube channel, as they’ve done in previous years. Some TV outlets like PIX 11 and ABC 7 will broadcast portions of the parade.
Who will be at the parade?
Merengue band Los Hermanos Rosario are grand marshals of the parade, and actor and media personality Jochy Santos is being honored as “king,” according to organizers.
Elected officials at various levels of government also flock to the parade annually. New York state Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, who represents parts of the South Bronx, is expected among those who will join women’s rights activists standing against the criminalization of abortion in the Dominican Republic, which is poised to be upheld in its penal code.
Any street closures to know about?
Here’s the full breakdown of street closures for the parade listed by the city Department of Transportation.
Formation:
- Sixth Avenue between 37th and 38th streets
- 36th Street between Broadway and Fifth Avenue
- 38th and 37th streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues
Route:
- Sixth Avenue between 36th and 55th streets
Dispersal:
- 55th Street between Sixth and Fifth avenues
- 55th Street between Seventh and Sixth avenues
This story has been updated with comments from Cristina Contreras, chair of the parade’s board of directors.
Tagged
dominican day parade
parades
new york city
manhattan
Race And Justice Unit
events
Michelle Bocanegra
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