The 53rd annual Puerto Rican Parade of Greater Cleveland and Cultural Festival, a regular occurrence since the late1960s, will take place this Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday Aug. 6 at MetroHealth’s Quad Park on the main campus, 2500 MetroHealth Drive.

More than 50 years ago, Cleveland residents with Puerto Rican heritage organized the event to bring the city together and educate the community about Puerto Rican culture and raise awareness of the community’s dedication to and pride in its heritage.

Parade weekend will kick off when the Hispanic Police Officers Association and civic leaders raise the Puerto Rican flag at Cleveland City Hall on Friday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.

Additionally, the Hispanic Police Officers Association and the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County, New Jersey will play an exhibition softballs tournament at Loew Park, 3121 Oak Park Ave. at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Cultural Festival events will take place in Quad Park from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, and after the parade on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 Jaime Garay, manager of health equity and outreach in the office of Equity at the MetroHealth System, will serve as grand marshal, while other 2023 honorees include U.S. Air Force veteran and musician Irwin Caraballo; Mary Malave, founder of the organization that helps those in need, “A Li’l Bit of Love;” and Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2023, Alivia Alicea.

The Puerto Rican Parade will kick off at 11a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 at the intersection of Scranton Road at Castle Avenue and will proceed southbound on Scranton Road to Valentine Avenue.