2022 Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival weekend kicks off with annual Scholarship Gala

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2022 Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival weekend got started Thursday evening with their annual Gala and Scholarship Award presentations.

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Channel 9′s own Kirstin Delgado served as emcee for the gala event Thursday. It featured Puerto Rican entertainment and cuisine for dinner.

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The Puerto Rican Parade, Inc Scholarship Fund Program provides financial assistance to Central Florida high school seniors and GED holders who plan to continue their education, or currently enrolled college students.

This year’s gala, parade, and festival are dedicated to Puerto Rico’s second largest city, Ponce, located on the island’s southern coast. Ponce Mayor Dr. Luis Irizarry Pabon was on-hand for the scholarship presentation.

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The parade theme for 2022 is: “Education, Pathway to the Future,” recognizing the contributions of local educators.

The parade will take place Saturday beginning on Rosalind Street in Downtown Orlando. Staging begins at 9 a.m. with the first step scheduled for 11 a.m.

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The festival is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday on Orange Ave. and continue until 10 p.m. where there will be booths and vendors with food and souvenirs. 

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