Your guide to Palm Bay’s 27th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival
The 27th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival will be a fun-filled event for the whole family featuring music, dancing, unique crafts, and delicious Boricua food!
Mi Gente, if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Boricuas love the chance to get together to celebrar en grande!
So, we bring you good news: It’s time once again to rejoice in everything Boricua and Festejar in a vibrant display of color, culture, and community.
That’s because it’s time for the 27th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival in Palm Bay, Florida. And this year’s event promises to have something for everyone, especially las chicas.
Set to take place Sunday, October 6, at Fred Poppe Regional Park, the parade this year will be all about “Empowering Women.” It’s a chance to celebrate women’s remarkable achievements and inspire them to reach their full potential. As the girls would say: Wepa!
This year, the parade will also pay tribute to the memory of one of the community’s greatest heroes, Samuel C. Lopez, a dedicated advocate for Hispanics and the driving force behind this celebration.
Of course, the day will be filled with friends, dancing, family, dancing, music, dancing, delicious Boricua food, and a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage. And did we say dancing?
A bailar!
Speaking of music, the event will feature live musical performances from favoritos del pueblo, including Tito Puente Jr., who is making a special stop in Brevard County as part of his tour celebrating the 100-year legacy of his father, Tito Puente. Other performers include Marcus Hernandez and Orchestra Fuego, JCee Colon, and Zalsa En Control.
Attendees will also enjoy a variety of ethnic food trucks, a health and wellness area, and an automobile and antique car show. Unique vendors will showcase local crafts and products, and family-friendly games and activities will be available.
A little bit of history
The oldest Puerto Rican Day Parade in Florida was established in 1997 when United Third Bridge held the first event in Brevard County. Originally established to celebrate Puerto Rican culture, it quickly grew in popularity, becoming the longest-running Puerto Rican parade in the state and a celebration of Hispanic heritage, attracting participants from across the nation.
When and where
The weekend of festivities will kick off with a gala on Saturday, October 5. The event will bring together community leaders, political candidates, influencers, and supporters for an evening of celebration.
What’s even better: This year’s events will continue to help endow local Hispanic students annually with scholarships for continued education, as well as promote Hispanic culture throughout the year in the community.
The free event will start on Sunday, October 6, at 10:00 am with a colorful parade featuring extravagant floats, salsa music, and—of course!—dancers.
Location: Fred Poppe Regional Park
1951 Malabar Rd NW
Palm Bay, Florida 32907
For more information about the parade, gala, and festival, or to inquire about participation, visit utbunitedthirdbridge.org or email utbinc77@gmail.com.
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