By Brittney Williams 

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. has no Dominican blood, but he has been asked to be the Grand Marshal for the 25th annual Bronx Dominican Day Parade this year. He accepted. 

“How can I say no, I’m the Borough President,” said Diaz, who was told about the distinction before the official announcement on July 15 at the Bronx Civil Court.

Over 40 floats and 102 groups will march up Grand Concourse, between 167th Street and Tremont Avenue on July 27 at noon.

The parade is a culmination of Dominican pride events starting on Friday, July 18 with a festival at Clay Avenue where the first 200 seniors will receive a free brunch. Other events include a citation presentation, a gala banquet at Marina del Rey on July 24 and the Abrazo Dominicano at the Maestro’s Catering on July 25.

The week-long festivities is only part of the celebration. Throughout the year, contests are held to name the Reinas Duartianas, an annual pageant competition involving young ladies representing their provinces in the Dominican Republic and learning traditional Dominican dances. This year, one of the winners was Gaby De Jesus, who represented the province La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

“Not only am I representing Dominican Republic, I am representing the Bronx too,” said De Jesus. “It was an honor winning, especially for the 25^th parade.”

The president of the Bronx Dominican Parade organization, Felipe Frebles and the vice president, Rosa Ayala work all year to organize the affair and bring together thousands to celebrate Dominican culture on Grand Concourse. “I really want to empower the Dominican community in its culture and its roots,” said Frebles, speaking through a translator.

The parade features music, dancing and dozens of floats with vibrant decorations to add to the festivities. In accepting the honor, Diaz looks upon it as an example of different cultures uniting.

“You don’t have to be Dominican to celebrate the Dominican culture,” said Diaz Jr.