New York City’s Dominican Day Parade is the largest Dominican community celebration in the United States.
37th Dominican Day Parade 2019
The 2019 Dominican Day Parade is on Sixth Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 12pm. It will be broadcast live on Univision television, radio and internet.
You’ll see floats, marchers, dancers, carnival characters and a lot of Dominican flags. About 10,000 people march in the parade, and about half a million people come out to watch it.
Parade Theme
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which energized the LGBT rights movement, the Dominican Day Parade honors LGBT contributions to the Dominican and Latino community.
Parade Route
The Parade forms on 36th, 37th and 38th St between Broadway and Fifth Avenue.
The Parade marches up Sixth Avenue from 36th St to 56th St.
The Parade disperses on 56th street between Fifth and Seventh Ave.
Parade Time
The Parade starts at 12pm. It usually runs until 3 or 4pm.
Watching the Parade
Wear a sun hat, bring some water and we suggest earplugs. There is occasionally very loud music. Oh, and do take your Dominican Flag and wave it proudly. The only other thing you need is your smile.
The weather is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 84 degrees.
Univision is broadcasting live coverage on UniMás from 2pm to 3pm. It is also being broadcast on radio at Que Buena 92.7 FM. You can stream the Parade at UnivisionNewYork.com
Dominican Carnival Characters
One of the highlights of the parade is the Dominican Carnival characters.
Dominican Carnival peaks on Dominican Independence Day, February 27, but we celebrate all month long, and every little town celebrates in a slightly different way. Dominican carnival has many unique characters. Whether they are scary or silly, they are all meant to be fun. One of the ways we overcome adversity is by making fun of it.
Diablos cojuelos (lame devils) wear bright costumes with horned heads made from papier-mâche. Legend says that the devil hurt his leg when he fell out of heaven. They carry inflated pig bladders and crack long bullwhips to scare away bad luck.
There is also Roba la Gallina (Steal the Chicken). She is often, but not always played by a man, carries an umbrella and wears an exaggerated bottom. She may have candy for the kids in her purse.
La Ciguapa is a woman of the night who has very long black hair. Her feet usually point backwards and she lures men to their deaths.
You will also Los Indios, people dressed as Indigenous Taíno. Hispaniola, the island the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti, was the Taíno heartland. Taíno heritage is something we share with Puerto Rico and eastern Cuba.
Dominican Day Parade 2019 Honorees
We are proud to be Dominican and proud to be American.
Madrina: Charytin Goyco
Actress, singer, comedian and television host who has released 17 albums and composed over 100 songs.
Padrino: Emilio Sosa
Fashion designer who has designed for Celine Dion, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Ross, Salt & Pepa and Spike Lee. He is the first designer of color for the Radio City Music Hall Spring Spectacular.
Cacique: Felipe Lopez
The retired professional basketball player is known as “Dominican Dream.”
A Cacique is a traditional chief in Caribbean communities.
Organization of the Year: SOMOS Community Care
A non-profit, physician-led network of more than 2500 healthcare providers who serve New York City’s immigrant communities.
Music Lifetime Achievement Award: Raul Acosta and Oro Solido
Renowned musician, composer and orchestra leader.
LGBT Trailblazers
- Deivis Ventura
- Chachita Rubio
- Chanel Lopez
- Elvin Garcia
- Samy Nemir Olivares
- Genesis Aquino
Ambassadors
Melania Garcia
Community Corporate Engagement Ambassador
Angel Mescain
Community Affairs Ambassador
Dr. Mara Minguez
Public Health Ambassador
Seny Taveras
Education Ambassador
David Hiraldo
Educational Training Ambassador
Josephine Infante
Economic Development Ambassador
Elani Alvarez
Financial Services Ambassador
Trinidad De la Rosa
Human Resources Ambassador
Sandino Sanchez
Youth Development Ambassador
Vianny Pichardo
Law Ambassador
Chef PAPI
Culinary Ambassador
Alberto Disto Rondon
Arts Ambassador
Armando Guareño
Cinematography Ambassador
Yisel Tejeda
Television Ambassador (Univision)
Shino Aguakate
Radio Ambassador (Univision)
Darling Burdiez
Television Ambassador (Telemundo)
Rising Stars
Rachel Strauss-Muniz “La Loca”
Film and Arts Rising Star
Michael Diaz
Film and Arts Rising Star
Jose Luis Cabrera
Fashion Rising Star
EliaCiM
Male Voice Rising Star
Cristina Contreras “Bumbly”
Female Voice Rising Star
Dominican Day Parade 2019 Sponsors
It’s important to recognize our sponsors. They support the Parade because they support you. We invite you to support them in return.
Official Media Sponsor: Univision
Media Champion: Telemundo
Benefactor: Goya Foods
Partners
- Chivas Regal
- Delta Airlines
- New York Presbyterian
- AFLCIO Transport Workers Union Local 100
- Vivel Marketing
- Manhattan Mini Storage
- Anheuser-Busch
- Acacia Network
- 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
- Cibao Meat Products
- Manhattan Beer Distributors
- Somos Community Care
- Workspace Offices
- Hemisphere Media Group
- MetroPlus Health Plan
- Liberty Beverages
- El Diario
Community: New York Yankees
Signature Events Sponsor: Health First
To sponsor the Dominican Day Parade, visit dominicanparade.org
Dominican Day Parade 2019 Board
Let’s thank the Board for their contributions to New York City’s Dominican community.
Dominican Day Parade Board of Directors Executive Officers
- Wilton Cedeno, Chair Board of Directors
- Leonardo Ivan Dominguez, 1st Vice President and Co-Chair Arts and Culture Committee
- Honorable Diana Reyna, 2nd Vice President
- Franklin Montero, Esq., Treasurer
- Maria T. Osorio, Secretary
- Cristina Contreras, Development Chair
- Estela Vazquez, Co-Chair Arts and Culture Committee and Audit Committee Chair
- Maria Khury, Special Advisor, Immediate Past Chair
Board Members
- Maria Lizardo, Spokeswoman Annie Minguez Hon. Governor David
- Paterson Teodoro Regus, D.D.S.
- FDNY Bernie Rodriguez
For more information, visit dominicanparade.org
