NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade 2019: Streets Closed, Route, Honorees

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Fifth avenue will be packed with people celebrating the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday, June 9. The parade, which will celebrate its 62nd year in 2019, is a celebration of the 3.5 million citizens of Puerto Rico and the more than 5 million people of Puerto Rican descent living in the United States, according to parade organizers.

The annual parade is one of New York City's biggest events of the year, but apparently it isn't big enough to draw Mayor Bill de Blasio. De Blasio will be in Iowa focusing on his longshot presidential campaign. But who needs de Blasio when you have Ricky Martin — the singer actor will be leading this year's parade as its grand marshal.

Other honorees at this year's parade include MLB hall of famer Edgar Martínez, Grammy-winning musician José Feliciano, singer-songwriter La India and actress MJ Rodríguez who will be honored as the 2019 Trailblazer.

"This year's Parade celebration will continue showcasing the best of who we are as a community. We will highlight our vast diversity talent, honoring historic figures and exemplary trailblazers that have overcome cultural and gender barriers to excel in their fields and meaningfully contribute to our global society," Louis Maldonado, chair of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade board, said in a statement.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade should you chose to attend, or avoid, the event.

What time does the parade start and end?

The parade will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. and end around 6 p.m.

What is the route for this year's parade? Will streets be closed?

The parade will again be held in on Fifth Avenue in Midtown and the Upper East Side. The march will begin on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and will continue in a straight line up the avenue until 79th Street.

Large-scale parades such as the Puerto Rican Day Parade always call for traffic shutdowns not only along the parade route, but also on nearby streets. Here are the street closures that will be in effect during the parade, according to the NYPD.

Formation:

• 44th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 45th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 46th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 47th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 48th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue

Route:

• Fifth Avenue between 42nd Street and 79th Street

Dispersal:

• Fifth Avenue between 79th Street and 86th Street
• 79th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 80th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 81st Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 82nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 83rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 84th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 85th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous:

• Madison Avenue between 43rd Street and 86th Street
• Sixth Avenue between 44th Street and 49th Street
• 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 51st Street between Rockefeller Plaza and Fifth Avenue
• 58th Street between Grand Army Plaza and Fifth Avenue
• 64thStreet between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 69th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue
• 74th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue

How should one get to the parade?

The easiest way to get to the parade from anywhere in the city is by public transportation. With the amount of street closures and the mass of pedestrians in the vicinity of the parade route, driving is a bad idea. Add on that finding parking in Midtown — without resorting to an overpriced parking garage — is nearly impossible, and taking your car to the parade is just not worth it.

The MTA will increase service on trains heading in the direction of the parade route to accommodate spectators. The E, F, N, R and 7 lines all make stops along Fifth Avenue. Additionally, spectators can take a 4, 5 or 6 train to Lexington Avenue and walk over to the parade.

The following bus lines also provide service to the parade area, but will be skipping some stops on Sunday: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M31, M50, M55, M57, M66, M72, M79 SBS, SIM1c, SIM3c, SIM4c, SIM33c, X27, X28, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11, Q32, QM2, QM4, QM5 and QM6.

For those trying to leave the area on Sunday morning, don't try going to the East 77th Street 6 train station. Because the MTA anticipate a lot of people coming to the parade to get off at that station it will be exit only from 7-9 a.m., according to an MTA press release. Nearby alternatives include the 68th Street 6, 86th Street 4/5/6, 72nd Street M/Q or 86th Street M/Q stations.