Everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dominican Day Parade
Image via Flickr
The 37th annual Dominican Day Parade is set to hit Midtown this Sunday, August 11. Described as a “joyful celebration of all things Dominican” on the event website, the tradition started in 1982 as a small event series in Washington Heights but has since become a full-fledged citywide affair, with turnout reaching as high as half of a million people. The event takes place on the second Sunday of August every year, to commemorate the start of the Dominican Restoration War, or La Guerra de la Restauración, which began in 1863 and ended in 1865 with their victory over Spain.
There will be roughly 10,000 marchers in the parade and lots of red, white, and blue around, the colors of the Dominican flag. The parade is known for its colorful and ornate traditional costumes and you may even see a horned Diablo Cojuelo, as well as other references to Carnival.
The festivities include floats, musical performances, traditional food, music, and dance—most notably merengue, the national dance. Singer, actress, and TV host Charytin Goyco has been selected as godmother, or madrina, and costume designer Emilio Sosa will be godfather, or padrino.
The parade will begin at 12 p.m. on 35th Street and Sixth Avenue and go north to its ending point at 56th Street and Sixth Avenue.
The Department of Transportation has noted the following street closures from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Formation
- 36th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue
- 37th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue
- 38th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue
Route
- 6th Avenue between 36th Street and 52nd Street
Dispersal
- 52nd Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue
Transportation
If you’re heading to the parade, you’ll want to hop on the 1, 2, 3, D, F, or M trains. Note the following weekend service changes which may impact travel times:
3 service is replaced by 2, 4 trains and free shuttle buses.
D trains are running every 12 minutes.
E trains run via the F in both directions between W 4 Street in Manhattan and 21 Street-Queensbridge in Queens.
