The Dominican Parade & Festival of New Jersey was initiated by the election of a board of directors composed of men and women from the Ramon Matias Mella Club and the Dominican Club House of Paterson. Ramon Matias Mella Club board members Jose Ramon Ruiz, Arturo Munoz, Juan de los Santos and others chose Mrs. Elsa Mantilla as their candidate for the presidency of the parade in a meeting celebrated in the presence of both of the previously mentioned organizations, counting on the good reception of her and her husband Arturo Mantilla for that position, who after the relevant election became its first president.

The Dominican Parade & Festival of New Jersey has become the 1st major event of the Dominican community in the State of New Jersey in the last 33 years, the activities are celebrated in the month of August, for the Restorative date, but coincidentally with another activity of the same nature it is now held in the month of September.

However, because of lack properly qualified and interested candidates most of the presidents have had to take the reins of the parade led by Mrs. Elsa Mantilla, who throughout the last 18 years has sacrificed a lot to bear the responsibility of managing the activities of the parade, along with the support of some Past presidents.