The Puerto Rican Parade

Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield's Head Start march in the 2013 Puerto Rican Parade on Main St. The parade was hosted by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. (Staff photo by DAVID MOLNAR)

SPRINGFIELD — A new generation of leaders in the city's Hispanic community will unveil plans for this year's Puerto Rican Parade during a business reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday on the 9th floor art gallery at The Santander Bank Building in downtown Springfield.

The parade is scheduled for Sept. 14 in downtown Springfield. The route will begin on Main and Wason streets and continue to Boland Way, according to mayoral aide Jose Delgado, a member of the parade committee.



Ivette Cruz, executive director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, which organized the parade in the past, said she is passing the baton to new parade committee members.

"I always envisioned a process in which young capable individuals in our community would work together with respect and harmony and produce something that every person in our community can be proud of," Cruz.said in a press release. "Today, as I receive reports of the committee's progress with the parade, I am so glad it is working so well and I know this is going to be our best parade ever."



Planning Committee member Edward Nuñez says that the newly established team has been working during recent months organizing a parade with a deep focus on inclusiveness while honoring Springfield's Puerto Rican community's history.

“We are thrilled to be working together to deliver this historical parade that means so much to our community,” said Nuñez. “It is our goal to produce a parade that is embraced and supported by families from all ethnic backgrounds as we believe that one of the strengths of our region is its richness in diversity.”