puerto rican day parade

The annual event has been running since 1958. This year's grand marshal is salsa legend Tito Nieves.

The family-friendly parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

One of NYC's biggest cultural celebrations is back after two years of being shut out by the pandemic

The Mayor was a no-show, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had a blast, laughing and dancing and at one point literally sprinting up the avenue, giving out high fives.

Plus, how you can get to the parade.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who will be marching Sunday, was described as being 'flabbergasted' at the news: 'I am without thought. My mind goes blank.'

'We celebrate much, but we also stand and march in defiance today. We march and stand in defiance at the gross and obnoxious injustice that this country has done to Puerto Rico.'

Oscar López Rivera was on the lead float as "humble Puerto Rican and grandfather."

The parade is on Fifth Avenue, between 43rd Street and 79th Street.

"Now we can focus again on important issues and the plight of Puerto Rico," organizers said.