2.8M People Expected at Puerto Rican Parade

More than 2.8 million people are expected to dance along with Ricky Martin at the 50th Puerto Rican parade on Sunday.

Along the parade's route down Fifth Avenue from 86th Street to 44th Street, storeowners and residents said they were unconcerned about security despite the large volume of people anticipated this year.

Police did not disclose their plans for security, except to say they would be similar to the security measures taken at other parades.

An expected drop in business on parade day had some Fifth Avenue businesses worried about their finances, however. At a gift shop, New York Souvenirs, Alex Peters said the noise of the parade often scares away his customers.

Yesterday, parade organizers said they expected Dominicans, Mexicans, and "even the tourists from Europe" to join the festivities Sunday, saying that day of celebration is "not just a Puerto Rican event, it's for all cultures."