WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTNH) – Connecticut is a state rich with Puerto Rican culture with thousands of Boricuas residing here. Now a heritage tourism project is hoping to connect the state and island for some big events, including one this week.

The first ever Puerto Rican Day parade in Old San Juan is May 18th and organizers want Connecticut residents to come down and join in on the fun!

“Unifies that connection,” said Emmanuel Sanchez, a New Britain resident who is heading down to Puerto Rico for the parade.

It’s an event Connecticut excels at from Hartford to New Haven to Waterbury; Puerto Rican parades are well attended and celebrated.

“It means a lot not only for myself but for our grandkids and for Puerto Rico too,” said CICD Puerto Rican Parade President and Dressler Law CEO Sammy Vega.

This week hundreds of Connecticut Boricuas will be bringing that pride for the inaugural parade on the island.

“It was kind of like, we haven’t done this before guys? Yeah so it’s awesome this is the first one and I get to go and enjoy it,” Sanchez said.

“For all the Puerto Ricans here many have been brought up here, but it’s a connection to the motherland,” said Attorney Jeffrey Dressler, who is heading down for the parade.

Sammy Vega boarded the 8:00 p.m. flight tonight to San Juan and is helping the parade organizers there to pull off a successful first parade.

He said their goal of heritage tourism aims to unify Puerto Ricans across the country while also benefiting their economic recovery.

According to the U.S. Census over 288,000 Puerto Ricans live in Connecticut.

Vega said attending the parade helps him and others learn more about their heritage.

“For example, myself, born and raised in Hartford, we support our island, we support our culture,” said Vega. “Connecticut adopted our culture so it’s exciting to give back to go to Puerto Rico.”

The tourism initiative runs through August 31st