National Puerto Rican Day Parade First Official Annual Musical Festival.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc., announced its First Annual Musical Festival – A Parade of Stars. The day-long event will take place Saturday, June 7th at Riverbank State Park, the day preceding the actual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Celebrating the best of Puerto Rican music, culture, cuisine, heritage and people, the annual event will be staged in a family-friendly environment. True to the parade’s theme “Puerto Rico– Its Songs and Its Music”, the festival will kick off a groundbreaking weekend-long celebration highlighting the musical and cultural contributions made by Puerto Ricans in the United States and worldwide.

The event is being co-produced by the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and Events & Entertainment Ltd. The incomparable talent, India, will headline the event and present a special tribute to the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, joined with performances by Tito Rojas and “el maestro” Johnny Pacheco among other guest performers. In addition, Celia Cruz has been bestowed the honor of serving as the International Godmother of the 2003 National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

“When we first discussed the concept of the Musical and Cultural Festival, I instantly knew it would further serve as an opportunity to showcase the tremendous contributions and impact Puerto Ricans have made, and will continue to make, in the areas of music and culture across the globe,” said Ralph Morales, chairperson of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. “An understanding and appreciation of history and culture are essential elements to our global society– the more we learn to share and celebrate the glorious diversity and contributions of our neighbors, the more we will make this a better world for all,” added Morales.