A family-owned Clifton business is preparing more than 30 floats for the African American Day Parade, which is being held in Harlem on Sept. 15.
Bond Parade Floats, which is celebrating its 50th year designing the floats for the parade is excited to see the 55th annual parade commence.
Rob De Vito, the president of Bond Parade Floats, recalled growing up seeing his father, Robert, work on the parade floats.
“I remember when I was about 16 years old, I told my father that I had to go because Foxy Brown was going to be there and I needed to see her,” said Rob De Vito. “It’s like a family with every parade we do: a special bond beyond just the parade. The people are the most important part of it.”
Robert De Vito, Sr. joined the company decades ago as a sign painter. He worked his way up to foreman and business owner.
“Naturally, we get paid for what we do, but it’s a lot of work,” said De Vito, Jr. “Our parades are also weekends. So it’s some missed life events, but these are our life events. You know what I mean?”
Nonprofit organizations, fraternities and sororities, labor unions, community groups, and corporations are among the thousands of people expected to join in on the festivities at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. The pre-parade show begins at 11 a.m. on 125th Street, followed by the ribbon-cutting, and parade from 12:30-6 p.m. It will include dance and music performances.
“To see them march up Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard smiling and see families looking, laughing and having a good time, that gives me a great amount of joy in my heart,” said Yusuf Hanan, chairman of the African American Day Parade. “We also want to commemorate our ancestors on this very special day. We won’t forget all the suffering and sacrifices that they’ve made in the community.”
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