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Cleveland’s 40th
Puerto Rican parade scheduled for July 20
By Arooj
Ashraf, La Prensa Cleveland Correspondent
Mark your
calendars for July 20, 2008 in anticipation of the 40th
Annual Puerto Rican Parade and Fest. Planning is underway and
the organizers are seeking support from the community to make it
the most memorable event in history.
The Planning
Committee met at West Side Ecumenical Ministry (WSEM) on
February 22,
2008 to
brainstorm ideas and set an action plan. The four-day, lavish
fiesta is organized by the Julia De Burgos Cultural Center
each summer and showcases Puerto Rican culture, which cultivates
pride.
The 2008
parade will take place on July 20, at the Cleveland Muni Lot in
downtown Cleveland. Pedestrians can look forward to delicious
ethnic food, loud, heart-thumping music and exceptional folkloric
dances and vibrant costumes.
The parade
requires nearly $130,000 to organize and is made possible by the
help of generous donors and sponsors. The Committee is looking for
feedback from the community on how to improve the festival, ideas
for floats, and seeking enthusiastic volunteers that will make the
parade a success.
“Let’s make this the most spectacular event that will honor our
roots and bring together past generations and cultivate our
future,” said Dr. Daisy Díaz, Trustee Emeritus at Julia De
Burgos Cultural Center.
Some of the
ideas tossed around at the meeting included inviting marching
bands from local high schools to lead the processions and energize
the crowds. To honor the 40th celebration, a special
float may be designed for the lovely ladies honored as Miss Puerto
Rico in all the parades. “We want to get as many of the Queens
from the forty years as possible,” said Sol Enid Sánchez.
Photos
requested
The community is invited to share their photo memories from the
past parades, which will be used in a memory walk or timeline
promotion. Díaz said it is important that the parade represent the
authentic Puerto Rican culture, represent the local artistic
talent, and engage the youth and adults alike.
Vice
President, Efraín Colón added it is a wonderful opportunity
to share the Puerto Rican culture with other groups.
“We welcome
everyone to be a part of this event,” said Dr. Díaz. If you are
interested in volunteering, hosting a float, lending a creative
hand, sponsoring or have ideas contact the Julia De Burgos
Cultural Center at
216.961.2970.
You can also visit
http://www.juliadeburgos.org/parade.htm for more
information or email:
juliadeburgos@gmail.com
Planning
meetings will be held at WSEM (5209 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland,
Ohio 44102) at 7:00 p.m. on the following 2008 dates:
March 6, 27
April 10, 24
May 1, 8, 15,
22, & 29
June 5, 12,
19, & 26
All meetings
are open to the public. |
