Boricua Pride & Lots of Wheels at 40th Bronx PR Day Parade

By SÍLE MOLONEY

PARTICIPANTS AND ATTENDEES alike wave the Puerto Rican flag as they enjoy the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

The 40th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade returned to the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, and Boricua pride was ever

present. With this year’s theme of “honoring the past, inspiring the future,” organizers said it reflected the parade’s longstanding commitment to preserving Puerto Rican traditions, while empowering future generations.

RAFAEL TORO, THE grand marshal of the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade, which took place along the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026, is seen on the Goya float.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

The community was invited to celebrate culture, heritage, resilience, and unity as various floats made their way along the Grand Concourse between 166th Street and Mt. Eden Avenue, following the annual gala held Wednesday, May 27, at Villa Barone Manor.

THE ROYAL COURT, the Princess, the Queen, the Prince, the King , and all gather on stage with The Bronx Puerto Rican Parade Committee President Maribel Mercado and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade which took place along the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Organizers said the 40^th anniversary milestone celebration was an occasion “to proudly honor the rich contributions of the Puerto Rican community in The Bronx while uplifting the next generation through culture, music, leadership, and community pride.”

“LA MADRINA” (the Godmother) of the parade, Omi Hopper, is seen on a float during the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

A special tribute was paid to the legacy of the late singer and musician, Willie Colón, “recognizing his profound impact on Puerto Rican culture and music.”

THE NEW LOGO for The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Cultural Parade, is displayed by Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee President Maribel Mercado at the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

A presentation was made on the viewing stand to some of Colón’s family members and friends, who were present for the occasion.

SEEN ENJOYING THE 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026 are this year’s “Second Princess, the Queen of the Juvenil, First Princess of the Damas, the Queen of the Damas, the King and the Infanti Queen.”
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

In addition to a host of floats, young performers, athletes, and participating community organizations, this year was marked by a huge contingent of very fancy cars, many adorned with massive Puerto Rican flags.

MIRIAM QUINONES, Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee member and *Norwood News* photographer is seen with other officials during the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Miriam Quiñones

The event also featured special guests, community leaders, performers, elected officials, cultural organizations, and honorees who continue to make a difference throughout New York City and beyond. They included Special Guest Caridad De La Luz aka “La Bruja,” Hosts Jose Rivera & Artie, Grand Marshal Rafael Toro Goya, Madrina Omi Hopper, and Padrino Richard Izquierdo Arroyo.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE was paid this year to the family of the late musician Willie Colón during the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026. His family participated in the parade and received a proclamation by elected officials at the end of the parade in his memory and are seen here with Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade committee member and *Norwood News* freelance photographer, Miriam Quiñones.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

The 2026 honorees included the State Senator, the Hon. Luis R. Sepúlveda (S.D. 34), who received the Legislative Pioneer Award, Catherine Garcia who received the Latina Philanthropy Award, Milteri Tucker Concepción, who received the Cultural Roots Award, Tiffany Nieves, who received the Champion Award, Joseph Ayala, who received the Boricua Shield of Honor Award, Bobby Sanabria, who received the Rhythm of the Community award, Mike Amadeo of Casa Amadeo, Children’s Aid, and Moses Medical.

PARTICIPANTS AND ATTENDEES alike enjoy the 40^th Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Grand Concourse on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Photo by Síle Moloney

The Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee thanked all sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and supporters who made the annual celebration possible.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.