Above you will see links to the different pages on the website. Please visit each page to learn more about our organization and the community we serve. You will learn about our committees and sponsors, be able to see pictures and listen to our exciting commercials under psas. Under "Events/News", you will find a community calendar full of upcoming events from different organizations that serve the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities of Western New York. If you have an event of interest to the community that you would like posted, please email parade@prparadeofwny.org with the details. Be advised that the Association will have sole discretion as to what is posted.

Again, Gracias and we look forward to seeing you on September 13, 2008 for the 6th ANNUAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE OF WNY, "PUERTORRIQUENO, de Alma y Corazon!!".

SINCERELY,

CHARLES TORRES
PRESIDENT

Mission Statement | Statement of Purpose | Executive Steering Committee
Grand Marshals - National and Local | Honorary Chairs | Parade Participants 2008
Parade Concert | Parade Posters

Parade Posters back to top

Mission Statement back to top
To promote and celebrate our Puerto Rican traditions by planning events that will enrich our culture, and maintain its viability. To educate our youth today for future generations by faithfully engaging in the preservation of our heritage.

Misión de Declaración
Promover y celebrar las tradiciones Puertorriqueña a trávez de la planificación de eventos que enriquecerán nuestra cultura.  Educando a nuestros jóvenes hoy para las generaciones del mañana, fielmente dedicados a la preservación de nuestra herencia.

The primary purpose of the Puerto Rican Day Parade of Western New York Association,

Inc.,  is to host a parade inclusive of all people and communities.  The parade will empower

the community, and in particular our youth, by promoting civic pride, celebrating the history

of Puerto Rico, and increasing awareness of Latin America's diverse cultural heritage. 

Association members will be cultural ambassadors, historical preservationists, and civic activists. 

The Puerto Rican Day Parade of Western New York Association will collaborate with a variety

of social and service-oriented agencies to build a stronger Western New York community on a

foundation of pride, knowledge, and empowerment

Executive Steering Committee 2008back to top

CHARLES F. TORRES, President
ESMERALDA SIERRA, Vice-President
ARTURO SALAS, Vice-President
IRMA LORENZO, Secretary
CARMEN DOESECKLE, Treasurer
EDGAR MARTINEZ, Sgt-At- Arms

GRAND MARSHAL 2008 - National back to top

ASSEMBLYMAN FELIX W. ORTIZ
51st Assembly District - Brooklyn

Biography

GRAND MARSHAL 2008 - Local back to top

Biography

2007 - Grand Marshal - National - ASSEMBLYWOMAN CARMEN E. ARROYO, 84th Assembly District, South Bronx. Born in Corozal, Puerto Rico, Assemblywoman Arroyo traveled to the mainland to make a better life for her children. She soon became active in schools and communty concerns and eventually became the first Puerto Rican woman elected to any State Legislature in the United States. She is well known for her feisty advocacy on behalf of her constituents and the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities. She currently Chairs the Somos Conference and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.

2007 - Grand Marshal - Local - ANNA COTTON, Anna Cotton was a well known community activist from the 70's to the 90's. Anna is well known for her strong advocacy on behalf of seniors and was instrumental in the founding of Los Tainos Senior Citizen Center. In her honor, a street was named after her after the construction of the facility and new housing on Buffalo's West Side. Although she left us several years ago and is no longer with us, the impact she has made is longstanding and we are honored to name her as our local Grand Marshall.

2006 - ANDRES GARCIA, Longtime community activist, first Hispanic Commisioner in Buffalo, serving as the Commisioner of Substance Abuse Services under former Buffalo Mayor Jimmy Griffin, retired Vice-President of Kaleida Health who headed the Mattina Health Care Clininc on Buffalo's West Side. He is President of the Western New York Hispanic Friends and Civic Association and a member or past member of numerous community related boards. He is a former Honorary Host of the Parade.

2005 - DON JUAN TEXIDOR,Pioneer in Hispanic Radio with ECOS BORINCANOS and longtime community leader

2004 - RAUL RUSSI, Former Chairman of the NYS Parole Board, Retired Buffalo Police Department, active in the statewide and local Hispanic communities

2003- COLONEL PEDRO J. PEREZ, New York State Police, Highest ranking Hispanic in State Police History,active in the statewide and local Hispanic communities and organizations. In 2008 became First Deputy Superintendent, 2nd in charge of the New York State Police.

Honorary Chairs back to top

Hon. David Rivera, Councilman Niagara District,elected in 2007, Councilman Rivera is only the second Hispanic to serve on Buffalo's City Council and represents one of the most diverse area's of the City, including a strong Hispanic population. He is a retired Det./Sgt with the Buffalo Police Department and has been active in many organizations in Buffalo.

PREVIOUS YEARS HONOREES:

CESAR CABRERA, Mayoral Aide under 2 Administrations (Masiello and Brown), in December of 2006 appointed by Governor Pataki to sit on the NFTA Board of Commissioners and in 2008 became Regional Director for the NYS Department of Labor. He currently serves as President of Hispanics United of Buffalo.

BETTY CALVO-TORRES, ESQ., Attorney, In June 2007 appointed by Mayor Byron Brown the First Hispanic female Judge in Buffalo History. In November 2008 she became the first Hispanic female to be elected to any office in Buffalo and Erie County when she was elected to the Buffalo City Court. She serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Buffalo, previously served as a Mayoral Appointee and elected -Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, Immediate Past President of Hispanic Women's League, Immediate Past President of the Minority Bar Association (First Hispanic to hold the post)

DANIEL FIGUEROA, Buffalo Police Department, Retired with over 30 years of service and Longtime Community Resident

MONSIGNOR DAVID GALLIVAN, Pastor, Holy Cross Church and longtime friend and mentor of the Hispanic Community

ANDRES GARCIA, President of WNY Hispanic Friends and Civic Association, retired Vice-President of Kaleida Health - Mattina Health Care Clinic

SUSANNA GONZALEZ, President of Hispanic Women's League and Longtime Community Activist

RALPH HERNANDEZ, First Hispanic Elected to the Buffalo Board of Education, re-elected in May of 2007 and elected Vice-President of the Board

Parade Participants 2008back to top

In celebrating this years parade, we wanted to showcase the entire community and the the pride of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities!! We honor all the members of the community, both locally and nationally, working to make life better in the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities. The theme reflects the Pride of the Puerto Rican, whether they were born in Puerto Rico, New York City(New Yorican, Buffalo, Canada,or anywhere else; or whether it is from having a distant relative from Puerto Rico. The Pride is there, their love of the island is there and our island loves them all!!.

Go to Committees/Parade to download registration forms for this year's parade!!
Congratulations to last year's Float winners,Grover Cleveland High School, Tops Supermarket and HUB!!!!!

CONCERT back to top