SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – This year marks the triumphant return of the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade in person. The community kicked off the parade festivities on Wednesday with the community at a local restaurant.
This year, the parade route will no longer be virtual! People came out to the Palate Restaurant in Springfield to celebrate and prepare for this beautiful cultural parade season in September, just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Jade Rivera-McFarlin, spokeswoman for the Puerto Rican Parade, said, “It’s about sharing culture and coming together. That’s really what it’s about. So whether you’re Puerto Rican or not, come out to eat, enjoy the music, and enjoy the culture.”
It’s back and better than ever! This year is the 32nd Annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade. A day to celebrate the resilient efforts and achievements of the LatinX community in Springfield.
Jade Rivera-McFarlin added, “I mean going virtual was cool. Keeping the culture alive, that was its true purpose, but parade day is an out-of-body experience. Flags, whether you’re Puerto Rican or not, you’re in that day and it’s so fun to have our culture in front of everyone to showcase everything we do and all the accomplishments of our community.”
This year, the parade will take place on September 18 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month to show solidarity with the rest of Latin America.
Wednesday’s event announced this year’s parade honorees, theme and this year’s Grand Marshal, State Sen. Adam Gomez.
State Sen. Adam Gomez of Springfield told 22News, “Growing up working in the Puerto Rican parade with my dad when he founded it, to leaving the parade and now being honored after my five years in it is totally humbling.”
The parade starts on September 18th at 11:00am. on Main Street in Springfield and ends at Boland Way.
