Entertainment News
2007-06-09
Ricky Martin to
reign at NYC's Puerto Rican parade
Grammy-winning
pop star Ricky Martin, chosen as the king of this
weekend's 50th annual Puerto Rican Day parade in New Yo
Grammy-winning
pop star Ricky Martin, chosen as the king of this
weekend's 50th annual Puerto Rican Day parade in New York
City, said he's excited for the sea of revelers but
hopes no one will get out of hand.
''The opportunity
to share with many Puerto Ricans, remembering our
island, and waving a sea of Puerto Rican flags will be an
incredible experience,'' Martin, who is from Puerto
Rico, said Thursday in an e-mail written in Spanish.
Martin said that
Latin Americans have contributed a lot to the growth of
the United States.
''There are
Puerto Ricans in politics, in the Army, in art and business
that have made a great contribution to the United States,''
he said. ''We are a generous people, and we are strong
in the face of adversity. We are a glad, enthusiastic
town with a great sense of unity.''
Parade committee
president Madelyn Lugo said that while the parade has
awarded other titles before such as grand marshal and
padrino, or godfather, this year's parade, on
Sunday, is the first to have a king.
Organizers said
Martin, who is Puerto Rico's all-time top-selling artist
and whose hits in English include ''Livin' La Vida Loca,''
was chosen because he is known for expressing pride in
his heritage.
The annual parade
up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, one of New York's most
important events, was established to recognize the culture
and contributions of Puerto Ricans to the United
States. Organizers expect more than 80,000 people to
crowd the area. There are 2.1 million Hispanics living
in New York, and Puerto Ricans are the largest Hispanic
group in the city, with more than 789,000 according to city
figures. (AP)
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