PHOTOS: City of Orlando Welcomes Florida Puerto Rican Parade in Olympic Style
Florida Puerto Rican Parade president Ralph Morales poses for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn during the City of Orlando's welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – The Florida Puerto Rican Parade chose to flaunt Puerto Rico’s Olympic stars for its 5th anniversary. Every eye was on Jasmine Camacho-Quinn at Orlando City Hall Friday, who made history for Puerto Rico by winning the island’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics for the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Mayor Jerry Demings even named the day after her. Fellow Puerto Rican Olympic runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci joined her in representing the island in honor of the 5th Annual Florida Puerto Rican Parade, happening at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2021 in downtown Orlando.
The parade features upwards of 170 organizations and elected officials from Central Florida as well as Puerto Rico. Several elected leaders from Puerto Rico graced the pre-parade reception in City Hall Friday as well:
- Senator Carmelo Javier Ríos
- Puerto Rico Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago
- Puerto Rico State Representative Luis Ortiz Lugo
- Mayor of Moca Ángel Pérez
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz hosted the reception, which highlighted the Puerto Rican leaders, but most of all, showered the Olympians with gifts, certificates, and proclamations. The world-class athletes received proclamations from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and recognition certificates from State Representative Daisy Morales and Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero.
Florida Puerto Rican Parade president Ralph Morales poses for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomes the Florida Puerto Rican Parade, elected officials and esteemed guests from Puerto Rico in addition to reading a proclamation during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
After meeting Puerto Rican Olympic gold winner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and her mother Maria Camacho-Quinn, State Representative Daisy Morales presents Jasmine with a certificate of recognitionduring the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz poses for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Puerto Rican Olympic men’s middle range runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Florida Puerto Rican Parade president Ralph Morales (left) and City of Orlando’s International and Multicultural Affairs liaison Luis Martinez (right) pose for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Puerto Rican Olympic men’s middle range runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci after receiving Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s proclamation during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz poses for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Puerto Rican Olympic men’s middle range runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Florida Puerto Rican Parade president Ralph Morales (left) and City of Orlando’s International and Multicultural Affairs liaison Luis Martinez (right) pose for a photo with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Puerto Rican Olympic men’s middle range runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci after receiving Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s proclamation during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon looks on during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez glances over for a quick photo during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
(l-r) Senator Carmelo Javier Ríos, Puerto Rico Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago, and Mayor of Moca Ángel Pérez look on during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Florida Puerto Rican Parade president Ralph Morales (center) shares a light moment with Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Puerto Rican Olympic men’s middle range runner Andres Arroyo Dominicci after naming Camacho-Quinn Youth Godmother during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz speaks during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News. 
Puerto Rican Olympic gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn poses for a brief photo during the City of Orlando’s welcome reception for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade at City Hall Friday, September 17, 2021. Mandatory photo credit: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Commissioner Ortiz, Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, and Florida Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. President Ralph Morales delivered remarks.
The 5th annual Florida Puerto Rican Parade runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and starts at the corner or Concord Street and Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. The parade will end at Amway Center, where a festival and live concert follows from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.