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History

This year marks the 31^st Anniversary of the Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade & Festival, Inc, YPRHPF.  For over three decades, the YPRHPF has enabled all Westchester Hispanics and other citizens to celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture as well as acknowledge and pay tribute to the contributions they have made and continue to make to this great City, State and nation.

Each year YPRHPF selects a theme that pays tribute and acknowledges the great Puerto Rican and Hispanic community of Yonekrs and Weschester county.  This year’s YPRHPF theme: “La Cultura Hispana…bella, diversa y unicamente nuestra…Vivela! Hispanic Culture…beautiful, diverse, and uniquely Ours…Live It!” will pay tribute to the diverse and unique cultures of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic community of Westchester.

The Yonkers Puerto Rican/Hispanic Parade & Festival, Inc. is the largest FREE outdoor parade and festival in Westchester County which celebrates and recognizes the thriving Puerto Rican and Hispanic community.  The Parade and Festival represents the growth and success of this community and the contributions each makes to the City of Yonkers and Westchester County.  With our festive atmosphere, colors and typical music we pay tribute to the pioneers that came before us to ensure our success.

The YPRHPF celebrates the uniqueness of our cultures and pays tribute to the greatness of our everyday efforts and achievements.

Mission

The YPRHPF, is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1979. It is dedicated to the preservation of Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage, promoting understanding and knowledge of its history and the significant contributions Puerto Ricans made to the diversity of our society. In 2005 the parade’s mission was expanded to include the celebration preservation and promotion of other Hispanic cultures present in the Yonkers, Westchester county community.

The mission remains the same to support the growth and aspirations of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics in the City of Yonkers as well as the County of Westchester.  The YPRHPF maintains a proactive advocacy role by:

• Proving grants, academic scholarships and mentoring to Hispanic youth

• Establishing a free after school program that provides cultural lessons in music and dance giving youth the opportunity learn how to play “el cuatro” and traditional Puerto Rican dances  like, bomba y plena.

• Sponsoring programs promoting the arts and humanities

• Promoting understanding and providing opportunities for cultural exchange between diverse ethnic groups in the community