Watch the 2020 National Dominican Day Parade Celebration

The National Dominican Day Parade celebrates the culture, heritage and contributions of the Dominican community in New York City, the United States and around the world.

Cindy Trinh’s Parade Photostory

The 2020 National Dominican Day Parade

New York City’s Dominican Day Parade goes national this year as the National Dominican Day Parade.

To keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the parade becomes a virtual celebration on abc7ny.com on Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1pm. The show is hosted by actress Celines Toribio and comedian Ruperto Vanderpool. It’s a Dominican party with lots of music and dancing so you know it will be fun.

Join the Parade

Yes, you can just watch the TV show, but please join us.

The key function of the parade is to fund college and post-graduate scholarships for promising students of Dominican descent. National Dominican Day Parade scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000 and include training, mentoring, networking and internships. It’s not just giving money. It’s giving educational support for success.

Eyewitness News anchor Joe Torres spoke with a past scholarship winner and a scholarship hopeful.

Past winner Rafael Baez is a sophomore studying biology at NYU, New York University. past winner. Torres asked how the scholarship made a difference for Baez.

Rafael answered, “The National Dominican Day Parade offered me an opportunity I would never have had otherwise. I don’t come from wealth. They have given me the chance to further myself. That’s something they understand very well. They understand that the future lies in the youth. By ensuring our success they’re also ensuring success and excellence for the future.”

Torres asked Daniela Peña, a senior in vocal performance at Western Michigan University, what she would use a scholarship for.

She explained how she would use a scholarship to work on her Masters in Business Administration. “My post-graduate degree is for being the bridge between Latin American musicians and the music industry. Winning this scholarship will give me the opportunity to study for helping others to reach the music industry as Latinos.”

Sponsor a Student

Thank you Eyewitness News anchor Joe Torres for your support. The National Dominican Day Parade is regularly supported by NewYork-Presbyterian hospital and Anheuser-Busch. We invite you to support them in return.

#DominicanVRParade

The 2020 Parade Celebrates “Dominican Spirit”

This year’s parade celebrates New York City’s Dominican Spirit. 2020 Parade Chair Wilton Cedeño explained that, “Dominican Spirit is service to others.”

Dominican Spirit is service to others.”
Wilton Cedeño, 2020 National Dominican Day Parade Chair

In particular, many front-line workers risk their lives to help all New Yorkers make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a great call because many Dominican New Yorkers work in health care. It’s one of the careers where we excel.

2020 Honorees

So many people deserve our thanks. These are a few of the special ones.

Dr. Miguelina German of Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. German saw an unfilled need in infant child care during the pandemic. She created and distributed over 1,000 baby kids to families in need at that critical moment.

Dr. Denise Nuñez is a pediatric ICU doctor at Montefiore. She also volunteers with Somos Community Care and is the founder of the Niño de la Caridad Foundation.

The emphasis on early child care is important. Though they can’t talk yet, babies absorb everything and need a lot of energy and support to grow into healthy children. Protecting the youngest among us helps create a brighter future for everyone.

Henry A. Garrido is the Executive Director of District Council 37, NYC’s largest municipal employees union.

Additional Honorees