By CAROLYN SALAZAR and AMY CRAWFORD
June 9, 2008
The red-white-and-blue, single-starred flags were out en masse yesterday on Fifth Avenue, as hundreds of thousands braved the scorching temps for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.
"I'm Puerto Rican, and I'm proud," crowed Rosa Sanchez, 60. "I love the food, the music, the people." The Bronx grandmother, bedecked in the island's traditional colors, was among the revelers who boogied to salsa and reggaeton along the parade route.
Mayor Bloomberg marched in the parade - which inched from 44th to 86th streets - alongside grand marshal Dennis Rivera, head of the Service Employees International Union.
Other elected officials in attendance included Gov. Paterson, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and US Sen. Charles Schumer.
At least 20 people had to be treated for heat stroke in an emergency center set up in Central Park. There were also 13 arrests on minor charges.
