Dominican Day Parade
Starting in 1982 as a small event with concerts and cultural events in Manhattan's Washington Heights, The Dominican Day Parade has grown into a nationally televised 2-mile long celebration with spectators numbering in the tens of thousands lining Sixth Avenue. Held this year on August 10th, 11 a.m. between 36th Street and 56th Streets, this parade commemorates the Dominican Republic's War of Independence from Spain in 1863, and also celebrates music, a big part of Dominican culture. The second largest yet fastest growing Hispanic group in New York City, half of the country's Dominican population, more than 500,000 residents, lives here. Singers and dancers ranging from traditional groups to pop stars perform in brightly colored costumes called ‘lechones' with bells, feathers, sequins, and elaborate masks. Traditionally representing monsters that appeared before Lent, these diablos cojuelo, or lame devils, in their sharp-featured masks and colorful ruffle-sleeved costumes, popular for over a century in the Caribbean's Carnival celebration, wield thick bullwhips woven from ropes. These spirits of mischief stir the crowds flanking the parade route. The masses in attendance waving Dominican flags create a sea of red, white, and blue as the procession of floats cruise up 6th Ave.. Come see for yourself!