How to Participate in the NYC Hispanic Parade
Held each year along Manhattan's Fifth Avenue between 44th and 68th Streets, the New York City Hispanic Day Parade is a colorful march representing the rich cultures and traditions of Hispanic people in America. Since 1965, the parade has been attracting people from NYC and the surrounding tri-state area to admire and participate in the festivities, whether they are Hispanic or not.
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Instructions
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Check New York City publications or local websites for the date and time of the parade. It is usually held in early October to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, Columbus Day and several Hispanic countries' independence days.
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Plan your transportation, whether you will be getting there on foot, by subway, bus or taxi. You may want to think twice about driving yourself. Remember that street parking will be difficult to find, and you could get stuck paying hefty fees at parking garages.
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Dress in layers. October in New York City is usually chilly and might be windy. Dress according to the weather, as you will be outside for several hours.
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March in the parade. If your group, company or association will be marching in the parade, you have probably been practicing for months. Get to your meet-up location on time or early to be sure you don't keep anybody waiting. Remember your costume if you will be wearing one!
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Join a million spectators to watch the hundreds of bands, floats, dancers, celebrities and New York City police and firefighters make their way down the parade route. As a spectator, arrive early to find a suitable spot to watch the parade. Think about avoiding sun glare or standing by a building that blocks the wind. Let children go to the front of the sidewalk because they cannot see over the crowds. Stick close by them if they are too young to be by themselves safely.
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Enjoy ethnic food and drink from street vendors and purchase flags, balloons or other props to wave in the wind. If you spot a TV camera, wave to the audience at home!
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Tips & Warnings
Sometimes the best views of the parade are off the beaten path. Try watching the parade toward the end of the route, where it turns a corner or from your office window if your building faces the route.
Although it will be hard to see if you are behind the crowd, you might want to bring a camping chair or beach chair to sit on in case you get tired of standing. Nobody said you had to stand to participate!
New York City parades, especially ones as large as this, get very congested. If you want a good view of the parade, get there a few hours before it starts to pick your place on the sidewalk.
Street vendors will often raise their prices during large events. If you want to buy snacks or a drink, find a vendor away from the parade route or in a convenience store or newsstand to save money.
