BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - The bright colors of Hispanic heritage will not line 5th Avenue in Brentwood this June, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs On The Story

The annual Puerto Rican / Hispanic Day Parade has been cancelled because of budget cuts at the nonprofit Adelante of Suffolk County, which said it just can’t afford it.

It’s the first cancellation in the 45-year history of the event, which usually draws up to about 50,000 spectators.

It’s Long Island’s biggest ethnic celebration and the cancellation will hit shop owners, who look forward to doing big business on that day.

Newsday reported that Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Brentwood) said he was in talks with community leaders to try to bring back the parade.

“Find a way to save it. I mean, a little bit. It doesn’t have to be big,” one resident told Xirinachs.

If you’ve attended the parade in the past, what was your favorite part? Share your story in the comments section below.