Words by Jesse Serwer, via Freshness Mag
If you’re anywhere near New York City at the moment, you’re likely already aware that this Sunday is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. For those who aren’t here, the annual event, held on the second Sunday of every June, rivals Labor Day’s West Indian Day Parade as NYC’s largest and wildest organized street event. Every year, some 3 million revelers make it out to the parade route along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, transforming the city into a sea of red, white and blue. Its impeding arrival, meanwhile, is announced days earlier, as the number of salsa-blasting Hondas sporting Puerto Rican flags grows exponentially in and around the five boroughs.
In honor of the event, which this year turns 54, Supra is releasing a limited edition version of their Vaider hi-top (which it also just issued in Rasta-inspired red, gold and green) in the colors of the Puerto Rican flag. This isn’t the first time a major brand has issued sneakers in a PR colorway but it’s the first time we’ve seen it pulled off with style. You’ll have to get them before the parade’s over, though: Supra is making them available to select retailers this weekend only. Who knows—maybe Puerto Rican guard J.J. Barea (fresh off the game of his life last night) will lace up in these on Sunday when his Dallas Mavericks attempt to eliminate the Miami Heat and win their first NBA championship.
