After 2-year hiatus, National Puerto Rican Day Parade returns to Fifth Avenue

NEW YORK -- It was a Sunday of festivities on Fifth Avenue for the 65th National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

As CBS2's Leah Mishkin reported, the crowd was ready after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic.

There was a sea of flags, and plenty of music and dancing.

After two years of not having the parade, the rain definitely did not stopping the crowd from showing up.

"Everybody is happy to continue to celebrate our culture, our history, our traditions, and just to be together again," said Neysa Alsina, a member of the parade's board of directors.

Jessica Torres traveled from Florida to attend the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

"My mom is from Puerto Rico, and my husband is from Bayamon," Torres said.

One group made the trip from Connecticut to be part of the celebration.

"Our grand marshal is U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Our king of the parade is Nicky Jam, Fat Joe is our godfather, and Angela Martinez godmother," Alsina said.

New York elected leaders also marched their way up Fifth Avenue from 43rd Street to 79th Street.

"Two long years we didn't have this and we love it," attendee Stephanie Rosado said.

There was an excitement in the air, pride in one's heritage on every block.

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