Dominicans in the U.S. to express pride in NYC parade

New York. – Hundreds of thousands of Dominicans are expected to go to the Big Apple’s 6th Av. Sunday to celebrate another year of progress of a community proud of its mounting contributions to New York and the rest of the U.S.

The "Godfather of honor" for the 42nd annual event will be chef Jay Rodriguez and the "Grand Marshal" is Dr. Rafael Lantigua, said Dominican Day Parade 2013 Organizing Committee president Nelson Peña.

This year’s "International Godmother" will be community leader Cira Angeles; "National sponsor" will be City Council candidate Miguel Estrella, while “international godfather" honors will fall on veteran Dominican Republic politico Luis Abinader.

The latest Census counted 1.5 million Dominicans in the United States, of which over 700,000 are in New York City.

Beyond baseball, music and entertainment, the proud community boasts prominent figures like Pulitzer writer Junot Diaz, designer Oscar De La Renta, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, in addition to mayors, lawmakers and judges who hail from the Caribbean nation of just 10 million.