Puerto Rican parade, festival set for this weekend

The 55th Puerto Rican Festival and Parade returns to Playstead at Franklin Park this Sunday (July 31) after being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The parade starts at noon and proceeds from Cedar St. and Columbus Ave to Franklin Park.  It is the culmination of the Puerto Rican Festival, which is projected to draw more than 90,000 people over three days.  Theevent includes performances by local and international artists, Puerto Rican food, local arts and crafts, and many more activities for all ages. 

Robert Santiago , who leads the city of Boston’s Department of Veterans Services, will serve as the grand marshal for the parade. He is Boston’s first Puerto Rican Commissioner of Veterans Services, and also the first openly gay commissioner. 

“My mom taught me what it means to be Puerto Rican through her pride, actions, and deeds, and because of her I am very grateful for my Puerto Rican heritage, it’s who I am.  I’m so proud to serve as grand marshal of this year’s parade,” said Santiago. 

“I’ve attended this wonderful event since I first arrived in Boston as a crew member of USS Constitution, and I’m looking forward to another great year,” he said.

For more information visit puertoricanfestival.org.

On Sunday, July 31 at 12:00 p.m., the parade will proceed from Cedar St. and Columbus Ave to Franklin Park.  The parade is the culmination of the Puerto Rican Festival, which is projected to draw more than 90,000 people over three days.  The Festival includes performances by local and international artists, Puerto Rican food, local arts and crafts, and many more activities for all ages.  For more information about the Puerto Rican festival and parade please visit https://www.puertoricanfestivalofma.org/

“We are thrilled to have Commissioner Santiago as our Grand Marshal!  He’s been involved since day one, and as a fellow Boricua, we know he’s as passionate about this event as we are,” said Edwin Alicea, President of the Puerto Rican Festival “We’re excited for a great parade on the 31st!”


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