Puerto Rico Celebrations & Festivals in the United States

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States.

Stateside Puerto Ricans is the term for Puerto Ricans give themselves if they reside in the United States. U.S. citizens of Puerto Rican origin make up the second-largest Hispanic group in the United States with an approximate population of 4 million citizens. Like many other Americans of ethnic descent, Puerto Ricans are proud of their heritage and host annual festivals in honor of their ancestry and culture. Although Puerto Ricans live across the United States, some of the largest populations are in Texas, New York and California.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade

One of the most attended Puerto Rican-themed events in the United States is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. More than 3 million spectators came for the parade's 50th anniversary celebration in 2007. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is also the oldest continuing Puerto Rican festival in the United States, starting in 1958. The parade occurs on Manhattan's 5th Avenue between 44th and 79th Streets. This annual event usually happens in mid-June. Other events during this time is the National Puerto Rican Day Beauty Pageant and the 152nd Street Festival in the Bronx.

Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival

In October, Puerto Ricans and Cubans in Houston, Texas congregate to honor their heritages at the Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival, or PRCFest. The annual festival takes place at Tranquility Park in downtown Houston. PRCFest is a one-day event with food vendors, arts and crafts, a car show and nighttime concert featuring local Puerto Rican and Cuban musicians. Approximately 20,000 visitors attend the PRCFest every year.

Puerto Rican Festival

Located in Rochester, New York, the annual Puerto Rican Festival is a three-day event in July or August. This festival honors Puerto Ricans in Rochester and Western New York; the first year for the festival was 1969. Some of the festival's events are live Puerto Rican music, salsa dancing, the 5K Race and Fitness Walk, the Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester Pageant and the Puerto Rican Parade in downtown Rochester. The central location for the Festival is Frontier Field and the Pageant happens at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.

Festival De La Isla Puerto Rican Cultural and Unity Event

The Festival De La Isla Puerto Rican Cultural and Unity Event takes place in Vacaville, California, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. Festival De La Isla's inaugural years was 2001 Vacaville's Pen Adobe Park is the central location of the festival. Some of Festival De La Isla's attractions are live Puerto Rican music and food vendors. Since Pen Adobe Park is not a large space, families may bring small lunch boxes to the event, but not large coolers. However, blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. This festival usually occurs in late August.

Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade of Rhode Island

Puerto Ricans in Rhode Island gather annually for the Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade of Rhode Island. This festival is a summertime event that occurs in Providence, the state capital of Rhode Island. Puerto Rican Cultural Festival's parade marches in the downtown area and the festival occurs in Roger Williams Park. Also, the festival hosts the Miss Puerto Rico of Rhode Island beauty pageant.

References

• U.S. Census: Hispanic or Latino Origin by Specific Origin - Universe: Total Population
• National Puerto Rican Day Parade: History
• Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival: Info
• Puerto Rican Festival: Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester 2011
• Festival De La Isla: 10th Annual Festival De La Isla Puerto Rican Cultural and Unity Event
• The Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade of Rhode Island: Home