Ohio receives state dedication of National Puerto Rican Day Parade, June 10

New York: The National Puerto Rican Day Parade , Inc. has announced that Ohio has been granted the State dedication of the 17th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade (55th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York since the event’s inception as a local organization). A delegation of over 90 leaders representing various Ohio cities will march in what is known as “the largest celebration of Puerto Rican pride in the world.”

Andrés González

Leading the delegation will be the Parade’s State Marshal, Cleveland’s Andrés González, Vice Chair of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Director of Diversity and Community Outreach at the Cleveland Clinic. González said: “The Puerto Rican community in Ohio has made a great impact in economic and community vitality, higher education and empowerment. We are honored and grateful that our State will shine during the National Puerto Rican Parade 2012 in New York. We look forward to strengthen the partnership with the Puerto Rican Community from New York and nationwide.”

According to Madelyn Lugo, the Parade’s Chairperson, “The National Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrates and raises awareness of Puerto Rican presence, culture and legacy throughout the country. In 2012 we are proud to spotlight the State of Ohio, home to nearly 100,000 Puerto Ricans, who make a strong contribution to the State's rich cultural diversity.”

Lugo thanked Lilleana Cavanaugh, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, for serving as a major liaison between the Ohio Puerto Rican/Hispanic community, and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.

The 17th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 10th, 2012, along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, from East 44th to East 79th Streets. One of the largest parades, it congregates nearly 2 million spectators and over 80,000 marchers.

According to US Census 2012, there are 94,965 Puerto Ricans who reside in Ohio (approximately 28 percent of the Ohio’s Latino population). The City of Lorain is over 25 percent Puerto Rican.

2012 Parade honorees include: Hostos Community College President Felix Matos-Rodríguez and Puerto Rico’s Inter-American University President Manuel J. Fernós (Grand Marshal and Godfather respectively), Parade Co-Founder María Román Dumén (Lifetime Achievement Award), actress and author Sonia Manzano (New York Godmother), and NFL’s Victor Cruz (Athlete of the Year).

This year’s theme is “Puerto Ricans and Higher Education.” Puerto Rico’s Hometown Dedication went to Guayama (municipality located 38 miles south of San Juan. Population 45,362).

On the Internet: http://nationalpuertoricandayparade.org/

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Revised: 05/22/12 06:07:18 -0700.