26th Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade - Providence, RI - Over 8,000 Strong !

RI Puerto Rican Festival is Huge Success
Culture, Arts and Puerto Rican Pride take Center Stage

(Providence, RI, USA) The Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade of Rhode Island held their 26th parade to their festival at Roger Williams Park last Sunday with a record crowd, plenty of cultural music, dance, a salsa contest and respect for the passing of Councilman Miguel Luna with a festival moment of absolute silence and black ribbons worn in the parade.

The parade stepped off with Mayor Taveras’ Official Car leading the way followed by the Providence Police Honor Guard and then Mayor Angel Taveras, Congressman David N. Cicilline, Governor Chafee's representative Doris M. de los Santos.

Parade Grand Marshall Javier Montañéz was accompanied by his assistants, Ray Guzman, Jayson Nieves and Edward Nieves with President Vivian Moreno, Sergeant at Arms Doris Hernandez and Providence Ward 6 Councilman Michael Correia followed by a sea of Puerto Rican flags with some American and other nations as well.

Other officials in the parade included Magdalena Picot, the Parade God Mother; Miguel Ángel Velázquez, Parade God Father; Ivette Solivan, los Jibara; Gilbert Sánchez, Jibaro; Christopher Figueroa, Jibarito; and Zenaida Matías, Jibarita. Vice President and Founder Carmen Bucholz, Secretary Grace Contreras and Treasurer Cynthia Vélez were also in the parade.

Other marchers of note included the Puerto Rican Festival Dance Group, Providence Mounted Command, numerous floats, dance and singing performers, marching companies, pageant & fashion groups, and cultural associations representing Peru, Guatemala, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and individuals representing other countries who were allowed to march or drive with their own flags and national pride. A large contingent of vehicles and motorcycles brought up the end of the parade.

The festival began with a welcome by President Vivian Moreno, followed by a moment of silence for Councilman Miguel Luna. The National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner was performed by Ishshan Orellana (Miss Puerto Rico, Vice Reina) and Vice President and Founder Carmen Bucholz sang La Borinqueña to begin the festivities.

Stage Personalities that entertained the crowd included Hector Velez & Mauro Morales of MyH Productions; WBRU-FM’s DJ Spin; HOT 106’s DJ Mijo; and Latino favorites from PODER110 and Latina 100.3.

Along with music, crafts, novelties and authentic Puerto Rico cuisine, kids got to enjoy a “caterpillar” ride around the park and a large inflatable “bouncy slide” from the YMCA of Greater Providence which was a real hit.

Citations were given out on behalf of both Mayor Taveras and Governor Chafee which were awarded to recipients from time to time throughout the day’s festivities.

Businessman Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein was on hand to address the crowd and inspire the kids about community service, making a difference and doing good deeds.

Musicians and performers of note included Bryan Alvarado, a previously unknown singer/songwriter who has been exciting festival goers up and down the east coast. Bryan’s scheduled appearance in Providence attracted talent agent Jojo Gator from Hit Brothers Records who was on hand to observe Bryan and a few others including Latino R&B musician Peter Paul.

A salsa contest drew a lot of interest with cash prizes and a trophy. Directed by volunteer Orlando Vanterpool of Vanterpool Dance School & Orlando Vanterpool Su Banda, more than ten couples danced it out on stage to the cheering and applause of a crowd nearly 8,000 strong. At one point, Parade Grand Marshall Javier Montanez joined in for fun to the delight of the crowd. Audience applause chose the winners, and one trophy went to the audience favorite who slipped off into the crowd.

Other performers included El Conjunto Semilla, Alex y Ariel, Enrique Lopez, Nelson Vigo( Nelflow), Abraham Orellana (araabMuzik), Alask y Yeriel (El Duo del Barrio) Los Duros, Rabbit, Case Closed, La Selenita, Marcos David, Jade Belly Dance, HUDO, Erika Castillo y Steven Castillo.

Edwin Pabon and his Orchestra closed the show. Pabon with three albums to his credit and a long history of performing and sharing the stage with the greats like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz , Tito Nieves, Lalo Rodriguez and more told organizers his motto was "we keep the 'party' in the performance." According to organizers he did just that.

“We know the festival was a success despite a very tight budget,” said Treasurer Cynthia Velez. “The crowd was laughing, dancing in place and having a great time. Our culture was showcased, our families were gathered, and people were united for a day. Now it’s time to get back to serving in our Rhode Island community, helping others and representing the best that we Puerto Ricans have to offer. Culture, community, family and mutual respect for all cultures is what I think this festival is really all about.”

Grateful organizers acknowledged the assistance from the Mayor, City Officials, the Parks Department, Police Department and the Providence Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism as well as a large number of volunteers. “When the Providence City Council thoughtlessly passed that new ordinance right before our festival without concern for the impact on its citizens or on festivals already scheduled like ours was, things looked pretty bleak” said Vivian Moreno. “But their draconian actions brought out a host of volunteers, concerned citizens, and helpful city officials and administrators, who working together made this event happen.”

The Providence City Council had quietly passed a new ordinance that an organization with money owed to the city could not get a license for events. Most major non-profits had a balance owed to the city, but In the case of the Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade, the money owed was incurred prior to the current festival administration by people who left the organization, some of whom went on to start another organization.

More photos and video will be available soon at www.puertoricanri.com

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