ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival returns to Downtown Orlando for its 10th anniversary.

In years past, the parade has drawn thousands from the Puerto Rican community to promote the island’s culture, heritage, and its contributions to the state of Florida.

What You Need To Know

Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival back for 10th anniversary

The parade has drawn thousands from the Puerto Rican community to promote the island’s culture, heritage, and its contributions to the state of Florida in years past

This year’s focus is all about collaboration with local partners to bring economic opportunities back home to the island

It ties into the parade’s theme, which is “Build the Future in Puerto Rico”

The Florida Puerto Rican Parade’s chairperson, Ralph Morales, says the purpose of this event isn’t just to celebrate with a parade, but to get the word out about the island’s economic contributions.

He says one of his goals this year is to create partnerships with sponsors and gain support from local businesses and government to bring some of those economic opportunities back home to the island. 

“We want people to understand that we’re good people, we’re working people. We want to help the economy grow wherever we settle. It is our goal to be able to build a community that in the next 10, 20, 30 years is going to become much more significant,” says Morales.

This concept ties into this year’s theme which is “Build the Future in Puerto Rico.”

Morales says that doing so will require an effort to encourage Puerto Rican youth graduating college here to consider bringing their expertise back to the island to work.

“Establishing businesses in Puerto Rico with the help of government to help you either expand or create a new business in Puerto Rico, so you can employ us, so our people don’t have to go anywhere. We need jobs,” adds Morales.

The event begins with a parade at 11 a.m. on the corner of East Robinson Street and North Rosalind Avenue.

The festival begins immediately afterwards at noon, with musical performances, food vendors and entertainment spanning until 11 p.m..

Overall, attendees will get to see a display of Puerto Rican culture and get a taste of their traditions — be it food, music and clothing. 

There will be several road closures throughout Downtown Orlando, including along parts of Magnolia Avenue, Robinson Street and Orange Avenue, so make sure to plan accordingly and arrive as early as you can.