The Puerto Rican Day parade made its way through the streets of Hartford this past Saturday. With traditional live music from the island and colorful floats, the parade honored the pandemic鈥檚 essential workers and first responders. Organizers also came with a clear message: 鈥淟et鈥檚 get the Latino community vaccinated!鈥�
Though the celebration was shorter than usual, it was not without enthusiasm. Several hundred people waved flags and blasted music, and the joy was contagious. The parade started from Pope Park and made its way to the final destination at Parkville Market, where people could get a COVID-19 vaccine in the parking lot.
The event was organized by the 海角换妻 Institute for Community Development (CICD). Organizer Sammy Vega said 2020 was tough with the parade being canceled. But this year they did something different.
鈥淚nstead of people coming to us, we came to the people, we came to the neighborhood. At the float we had teachers, police officers and firefighters. It was very emotional,鈥� said Vega.
Shakira Perez was honored as . Perez said she was excited that teachers were included in the tribute.
鈥淚t really feels good because we were also in the trenches,鈥� said Perez. 鈥淗aving this [event] even on a smaller scale, having this caravan and this festival, and letting the world know we鈥檙e starting to open up and it鈥檚 OK to come outside ... if you鈥檙e vaccinated.鈥�
Miss Puerto Rico, Genevie Bermudez, 17, said she was proud to celebrate her culture.
鈥淭his is a way of showing that no matter what, we鈥檙e still united and make the best out of the situation we鈥檙e in,鈥� said Bermudez.
She and Miss Puerto Rico Pre-Teen, Tania Trinidad, 15, wore gowns and tiaras and waved, greeting onlookers on one of the floats.
鈥淲e鈥檙e using our culture to celebrate all of the essential workers who continued working during the pandemic and remain united,鈥� said Trinidad.
Edser Gonzalez drove with his family from New Haven to secure a spot on the busiest intersection of the parade. He had expected more people, only to find out the celebration was not at full capacity as in previous years.
鈥淚t was all right for the first parade of the year since COVID. We鈥檙e out here, and it will be better next year,鈥� said Gonzalez, who left hopeful that the event will be back in full force in 2022.
