Sounds of celebration during Puerto Rican Day Parade in Palm Bay

Several thousand people lined the street and crowded the food tents in front of Palm Bay City Hall as the Puerto Rican Day Parade — one of the largest of its kind in Florida — got underway on Sunday.

The event, part of a weekend celebrating the impact of the U.S. territories cultural and contributions to the nation, also marked the 23rd year the parade has been held in Palm Bay, Brevard's largest city.

"It was great. We had even more people out this year. Everyone thought with the clouds that it would rain, but it held," said Sam Lopez, president of United Third Bridge, Inc., the organization that sponsored the weekend events with the Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 

More:Puerto Rican parade to take place this weekend in Palm Bay

Lopez said that next year his organization will honor Palm Bay's 60th anniversary. 

Sunday's parade brought out families and onlookers along with out-of-town visitors. The weather - with its overcast skies - held, offering the crowds a cool, fall day away from the Florida heat and humidity. There were also live bands, marchers in traditional island wear along with Puerto Rican foods and island-inspired drinks. Attendees were wearing festive outfits, some modeled on the red, white and blue of the Puerto Rican flag. 

"Everything was great, the food, the people, everything," said Adam Clayton Powell IV, the son of the famed congressman and an assemblyman representing the district of East Harlem in New York. He was one of a number of special guests at the event, Lopez added. Lopez said the focus was now on readying and reorganizing the parade for the next few years. 

"Now we have a new board," he said, sitting on the stage as performers pumped up the crowd with a rhythmic burst of reggaeton music. "Now we can get ready for next year."

Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641, jdgallop@floridatoday.com and Twitter @JDGallop