The Dominican Day Parade celebrates the people and culture of the Dominican Republic on the 2nd Sunday in August.
Dominican Day Parade 2017
The 36th Annual Dominican Day Parade 2017 is on Sixth Avenue from 37th to 52nd Street on Sunday, August 13, 2017 starting at noon. There is an opening ceremony at 10:30am.
There is a Guinness Book of Records attempt for the most people dancing Merengue at one time. It takes place at 2:15pm between 46th and 47th Streets. Dancers will dance to the traditional Merengue Compadre Pedro Juan. To participate, please wear blue pants or skirt, a white shirt, and a red handkerchief around your waist.
To participate in the parade, visit www.DominicanParade.org
There are several events in the buildup to the parade.
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Community Announcement
The 2017 parade gets going with a community reception at 809 Restaurant in Washington Heights on Thursday, June 8, 2017.
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Launch
Gale Brewer will officially launch the Dominican Day Parade at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights on August 3, 2017 from 6:30-8:30pm.
Goya and Dominican Day Parade 2017 Food Drive
Help Goya help those in need at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Washington Heights on August 9, 2017 from 10am – 12pm.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
4111 Broadway (173rd St.)
New York, NY 10033
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Gala
Dress up, meet parade and community leaders, and dance the night away at the Dyker Beach Golf Club in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn on Friday, August 11, 2017 from 7pm – 1am.
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Directors
Congratulations to the 2017 Dominican Day Parade Board of Directors.
Maria M. Khury is Chair of the Board of Directors.
Leonardo Ivan Dominguez is First Vice-President.
Henry Garrido is Treasurer.
Maria Osorio is Secretary.
Wilton Cedeno is Development Chair.
Estela Vazquez and Mr. Dominguez are Co-Chairs of the Arts and Culture Committee.
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Scholarships
In addition to celebrating Dominican culture, one of the main purposes of the parade is to provide scholarships to promising college students with a Dominican heritage.
Scholarship applications are due January 31, 2017. Apply at www.DominicanParade.org/scholarship
The Scholarship Awards Reception is at the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Celeste Bartos Forum, Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 5:30-8pm. RSVP at www.dominicanparade.org
Dominican Day Parade 2017 Honorees
Grand Marshal
Congressman Adriano Espaillat, of New York’s Thirteenth Congressional District, is the first Dominican-American member of U.S. Congress.
Padrino (Godfather)
Juan Marichal is a Dominican-American pitcher and the first Dominican-born Hall of Famer. Marichal is known for playing with the San Francisco Giants.
Madrina (Godmother)
Michelle Jiménez is a Classical ballerina known for her work with the Washington Ballet.
Lifetime Service Award
Detective Miosotis Familia was a veteran New York City Police officer who was murdered on duty on July 5, 2017. She grew up in Washington Heights.
Madrina International (International Godmother)
Lissette Nuñez is the first Dominican woman to become a commercial jet pilot.
Corporate Recognition
Eligio Peña is the founder of the National Supermarket Association.
Ambassadors
Business ~ Yesi Morillo-Gual, Director – Operational Risk Manager at Citigroup
Cosmetology and Aesthetics ~ Vinalisy Crespo
Culinary Arts ~ Enelia Silvestre
Digital Media ~ Ángel M. del Orbe
Fashion ~ Martin Polanco
First Responders ~ Bernardo “Bernie” Rodriguez
Health ~ Dr. Teodoro E. Regus
Higher Education ~ Ana I. Garcia
Justice ~ Llinet Rosado, New York City Civil Court judge
Labor ~ Edison Severino
Leadership ~ Henry Rubio
Medicine ~ Marcos A. Charles
Music ~ Indira Rubiera
Public Service ~ Diana Reyna, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President
Youth Development ~ Eddie Silverio
Cacique
Maria Luna
Rising Star
Marco Antonio Rodriguez
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Dominican Day Parade 2016
The Dominican Day Parade 2016 marched up Sixth Avenue in New York City on Sunday, August 14 from 12 noon to about 3:30pm.
I will never forget my experience of the Dominican Day Parade. The parade itself was soooo fun. I lost one or two pounds of sweat. I’m a little deaf from all the loud Bachata and Merengue. My legs are cramped from dancing in the street. But a smile is glued on my face.
I am full of Dominicanidad (Dominican-ness). Dominican New Yorkers are a naturally warm and happy people, a hard-working people with exceptional leaders. I’m think it’s the Dominican community who makes New York City work today.
I’ve lived and worked all over the world, but I saw things in the parade that I’ve never seen before. The most beautiful are the children proudly celebrating their heritage.
You cannot forget the open smiles of all the people waving Dominican flags and screaming with joy as floats paraded past them. My favorite memory has to be the Carnival devils. Every Dominican town has their own version. Their horned masks, mirrored jumpsuits, and loud whips are scary. But they are there to scare away evil, just like the Chinese dragons of my own heritage.
The NYPD was super cool on this hot day. I’m happy to see the police together with the people. This is how it is supposed be. Thank you NYPD.
The Dominican Day Parade only marches on Sixth Avenue for one day. But the Dominican Day Parade organization keeps marching every day of the year. It is more than a parade. The Dominican Day Parade joins the Dominican community with the leaders of New York City and students who represent our hope for the future of New York and our United States.
About the Dominican Day Parade
The Dominican Day Parade celebrates the contributions of Dominican-Americans to both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Most importantly, it funds scholarships for promising Dominican-American students.
The Parade started in 1982 as a small celebration in Washington Heights, NYC’s main Dominican neighborhood. Today the Dominican Day Parade is the big celebration of New York City’s biggest Latin community. It is also the largest Dominican celebration in the United States.
Be sure to take your flag and wave it like crazy. We are proud to be Dominican and proud to be American!
Dominican Day Parade Press Conference 2016
By Keith Widyolar, June 24, 2016
The 2016 Dominican Day Parade marches up Sixth Ave from 38th St. to 52nd Street on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from noon to 5pm.
Support the Dominican Day Parade by going to the annual Parade Gala. This year’s Gala features a performance by Dominican Merengue singer Fernandito Villalona “El Mayimbe” at Terrace On The Park in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 7pm.
The Dominican Day Parade is important because it is a manifestation of Dominicanidad (Dominican-ness). It is the biggest celebration of Dominican culture in the United States. Half a million Dominicans participate. The parade is also important because it represents the entire Dominican community.
~ Consul General Eduardo Selman
Dominican Day Parade 2016 Honorees
Dominican Day Parade 2016 Honorees were announced at a lively press conference at 809 Restaurant and Lounge on July 20, 2016.
Grand Marshall
Juan Luis Guerra is a Grammy® and Latin Grammy award-winning Dominican singer-songwriter. Guerra is famous for his unique style of Merengue. He also helped popularize Bachata globally. Guerra’s most famous song is “Ojalá Que Llueva Café.” The lyrics are a blessing of the earth’s bounty for all people.
Godmother “La Madrina”
Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Head of Global Diversity Staffing at Google.
International Godmother “La Madrina Internacional”
Alicia Ortega, General Executive Director and VP of Noticias SIN.
Lifetime Achievement
Nurys De Oleo, Senior Advisor to NY State Senator Adriano Espaillat.
Ambassador of Public Service
NYC Council member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland for the 21st Council District in Queens (Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, LeFrak City and parts of Jackson Heights).
Ambassadors of Community Service
Zinaida Méndez, Director of the MNN el Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center.
Ana-Ofelia Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement of Broadway Housing Communities.
Rosita Romero, Executive Director of the Dominican Women Development Center.
Anacaona (Indian Queen)
Carolina Contreras, Founder of Miss Rizos Beauty Salon.
Cacique (Indian Chiefs)
Mino Lora, Co-founder of the People’s Theater Project.
Diomary Peña, 2016 Soberano Award-winning Singer.
Raquel Cepeda, Author of “Bird of Paradise: How I became a Latina Journalist, Critic, and Filmmaker.”
Rising Stars
Jenny Jorge, VP Operations at Compare Foods.
Rosanna Vargas, Litigations attorney at Ackerman, and Board of Elections Commissioner.
Ambassadors of the Arts
Scherezade Garcia, Interdisciplinary visual artist.
Yorka Ralwins, Figurative expressionst painter.
Iliana Emilia Garcia Ubiñas, Multidisciplinary visual artist.
Ambassador of the Beauty Industry
Patria López, Founder of Josie’s Beauty Center & Spa.
Ambassadors of Fashion
Milagros Batista, Founder of Batista Collection.
Lucia Rodriguez, Founder of Lucia Rodriguez Wedding & Fashion Designs.
Ambassadors of Health
Cooperative Home Care Associates (CHCA), worker-owned home care agency.
Dr. Angela Diaz, MD, MPH, Director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.
Dr. Amarilis Jacobo, DDS, President of the Hispanic Dental Association.
Ambassadors Flavor (Sabor)
Days Medina Lebrón, Founder of Bizcocho de Colores.
Margarita Santana, Founder of Margot Restaurant.
Ambassadors of Science and Innovation
Dora Maria Abreu, PMP, CSM, IT Project Manager at Credit Suisse, Coach at John Maxwell Team.
Dr. Karina Edmonds, Technology Transfer Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Dominican Day Parade 2015
NEW YORK CITY ~ The Dominican Day Parade 2015 on August 9, 2015 marches up Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). It starts at 36th Street and ends at 54th Street.
Angela Fernandez is the Dominican Day Parade President. This year’s Dominican Day Parade theme is Educational and Economic Empowerment. The Parade is raising money for scholarships.
Education, economic, and government participation are key issues for all of New York City’s communities. New York City’s Dominican community is organizing itself in a powerful way that benefits all Americans.
Dominican Day Parade 2015 Honorees
Grand Marshall
Pedro Martinez, Baseball Player and Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee
Queen
Celines Toribio, Actress, Model and Television Personality
King
Johnny Ventura, Dominican Singer and Former Mayor of Santo Domingo
Godmother
Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, Former United States Ambassador
Godfather
Judge Rolando Acosta, Associate Justice of the New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
International Godmother
Merijoel Duran, Univision 41
International Godfather
Eduardo Selman, Consul General of the Dominican Republic
Ambassador
Isolda Peguero, Reporter, Telemundo
Ambassadors
- Sofia LaChapelle, Telemundo Network Correspondent
- Jose Acosta, Dominican Writer and Author
- Andres Merejo, Dr. Andres Perejo, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
Indian Queen
Sheila Garcia, Community Leader
Indian Kings
- Jose Zabala, Digital Communications and Dominican Film Festival Organizer
- Cesar Romero, President of Instituto Duartiano
- Ramon Anibal, Producer, Ramon Anibal TV Show
- Negro Santo, Director and Host “Santo Domingo Invita”
Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Johnny Pacheco, International Salsa Legend and Percussionist
- Dr. Marilu Galvan, Executive Director, Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano
- Fefita La Grande, Prolific female accordionist
Rising Stars from Orange Is The New Black
- Jackie Cruz who plays “La Flaca”
- Jessica Pimentel who plays “Maria Ruiz”
- Laura Gomez who plays “Blanca Florez”
- Selenis Leyva who plays “Gloria Mendoza”
- Dascha Polanco who plays “Daya Diaz”
Special Recognition
Francisca Lachapel, Our Beautiful Latina 2015