Brentwood, NY – Today, New York State Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D – Central Islip) and Teatro Yerbabruja (Yehr-braah-brooha) announced that the Annual Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade, a staple of summers in the Brentwood, Bay Shore, and Central Islip communities, will be saved. The announcement comes approximately 10 days after a decision by the Parade’s previous organizer, Adelante of Suffolk County, to cancel the parade, which has been held for 45 consecutive years and is the most attended ethnic parade on Long Island.

“The Puerto Rican Day Parade brings together people from across Long Island and is one of our favorite traditions in the Brentwood, Bay Shore, and Central Islip communities,” said Assemblyman Ramos, who has attended the parade every single year since its inception and is the highest Puerto Rican elected official on Long Island. “We are thrilled that this great tradition will not come to an end and grateful for local leaders who have committed themselves to keeping this amazing parade going.”

Following the announcement that the Parade was being canceled due to budget cuts that have hit Adelante of Suffolk County, Ramos and community leaders went to work in an 11thhour effort to revive the Parade. Teatro Yerbabruja, a non-profit organization dedicated to community improvement through the arts came forward to work with Ramos and others in organizing the parade.

“We are honored to work alongside Assemblyman Ramos and others in helping save this unique tradition,” said Margarita Espada, founder and executive director of the Teatro Yerbabruja. “Together, we are sending a clear and powerful message that we will not allow tough times to take away from our community’s great treasures. We thank Assemblyman Ramos for his leadership in ensuring the Puerto Rican Day/Hispanic Parade lives on and appeal to sponsors for support in making the 46th Annual Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade a success.”

Teatro Yerbabruja has committed to organize the Parade for the next five years, following meetings with Ramos and local supporters who came to the Parade’s aid. Teatro Yerbabruja called for the creation of a committee to help in organize the Parade and encourage all local organizations to get involved.

“As we celebrate the fact that the Puerto Rican Day Parade will continue, we must recognize the great contributions of Adelante of Suffolk County, which has done an exceptional job of organizing the Parade for the past 45 years,” said Assemblyman Ramos. “Our community looks forward to another year of the Parade that is bigger and more exciting than ever.”