Nardy Berrios, 3, of Springfield, Mass. cheers during the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Scores of Puerto Rican flags filled the streets of downtown Hartford Sunday afternoon for the 2023 Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Thousands of people attended the parade, which had ideal weather — sun and temperatures in the 60s.
The parade — with the theme "Unity and Solidarity" — featured police vehicles, fire trucks, floats, drum lines, dancers, horses and more. The parade was followed by the Festival del Coquí in Bushnell Park.
Organizers describe the parade as a "celebration of diversity, culture and community."
1 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
A giant Puerto Rican flag is marched onto Main Street during the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
2 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Jose Collazo, Eddie Colon, Veronica Colon and Jose Collazo Jr. of Hartford cheer during the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
3 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Mary Collazo of the Team Kassi 4 Ever group makes final wardrobe adjustments before the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
4 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Members of the Fuerza International Dance Group of Boston, Mass. and their families take photos before the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
5 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Dancers march up Main Street during the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
6 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Diana Roman of Hartford speaks with friends before the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park, in the shadow of the Connecticut State Capitol.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
7 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Members of the Hartford Public School District march during the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade kicks off on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park.
Joe Buglewicz / Connecticut Public
8 of 8 — October 8, 2023 - Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
Guests gather for the Festival del Coqui following the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. Thousands marched and gathered along the parade route that finished in Bushnell Park, in the shadow of the Connecticut State Capitol.
“But again, we had great support from the city. We came together and we figured out how to work it out,” Vega said.
Even after the rescheduling, Vega expected 70 different parade participants, the most in event history.
Joe Buglewicz
/
Connecticut Public
Members of the Hartford Police Department march in the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday Oct. 8, 2023. The parade's original date of Sept. 10 was postponed respectfully following the death of Hartford Police Department Officer Bobby Garten.
SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.
SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.
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