Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
NEW YORK - Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best known for her iconic role as Elaine Benes on the hit sitcom Seinfeld, took center stage on Sunday as the honorary Grand Marshal of the 62nd annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.
The Emmy-winning comedienne led the colorful procession through the streets of Manhattan, waving to thousands of cheering spectators from a float adorned with the red, white and blue Puerto Rican flag. Louis-Dreyfus donned a bright yellow dress and danced along to the sounds of salsa and plena music blasting from speakers.
"It is an immense honor to serve as Grand Marshal of today's parade," Louis-Dreyfus told reporters before the festivities began. "The Puerto Rican community has made invaluable contributions to the rich cultural fabric of New York City and our nation. I'm proud to celebrate their heritage and resilience."
The 62-year-old actress has been outspoken in her support for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which devastated the U.S. territory. She has worked with disaster relief organizations to raise funds and deliver supplies to the island.
"Puerto Ricans are my people," Louis-Dreyfus said, acknowledging her own Puerto Rican roots through her father's side of the family. "When I saw the suffering caused by Maria, I knew I had to act."
The annual parade, which travels along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, commemorates the Puerto Rican diaspora and shines a spotlight on Puerto Rican music, dance, food and traditions. Thousands of marchers took part, representing community organizations, dance troupes, schools and small businesses.
Parade organizers chose Louis-Dreyfus as Grand Marshal to recognize her activism and philanthropic efforts in Puerto Rico. Her presence drew admiration from attendees.
"Julia is using her platform as a celebrity to give back to Puerto Rico," said Bronx resident Maritza Lopez. "She's doing amazing work and it's wonderful to have her lead our parade."
In addition to her Seinfeld fame, Louis-Dreyfus has won acclaim for her work on shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep. She continues to be hailed as one of television's most gifted comedic actresses.
As the parade concluded, Louis-Dreyfus was presented with a plaque honoring her as Grand Marshal. She closed the ceremony with a few words in Spanish: "¡Que viva Puerto Rico!"
Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
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