SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Sunday is the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade! People were out lining the streets and having a good time in downtown Springfield.
It’s the 33rd annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and soon people from all over the Northeast will be coming together to celebrate. The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade embraces the culture, heritage, and contributions of the Puerto Rican community in Springfield.
Springfield resident, Rebekah Nevarez says she’s a proud Boricua, “I am so excited now that this is Hispanic Heritage Month to be celebrating my heritage as a Puerto Rican, and to come and see the community really come together, and celebrate this awesome day.”
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade embraces the culture, heritage, and contributions of the Puerto Rican community in Springfield. This year’s theme emphasizes cultural preservation, social justice, education, and community empowerment. The Parade will also address significant issues and honor the accomplishments within the Puerto Rican community.
22News reporter Melissa Torres emcee’d the event and she told 22News about her heritage, “What’s so special about Latinos is we not only love celebrating our culture with our people, we love celebrating it with other people and sharing it. And this month is all about showing our strength and our resilience, and this month is all about showing our pride, and our culture, and our people with our music dance, food…everything.”
Mayor Domenic Sarno and city and state officials marched in the parade on Sunday. Mayor Sarno stated, “I am proud to once again march in our Springfield Puerto Rican Parade as we come together to celebrate Springfield’s vibrant and diverse community. The Puerto Rican community has contributed so much to our Springfield, the Commonwealth, and the Nation, especially in business, education, medical, public safety, public service, and in the United States Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. My administration is proud to support and recognize the great contributions Puerto Ricans have made in the world.”
The parade began at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Wason Avenue and Main Street, then it went down Main Street and ended at Boland Way.
The parade was live-streamed on the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade’s Facebook page.
Kiara Smith is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since March 2023. Follow Kiara on X @KiaraBSmith1 and view her bio to see more of her work.
