TRR photo by Richard A. Ross The parade started with Monticello High students Gabe Guerra, Guy Gugliotta and Omar Diaz leading the entourage. (Click for larger image)

Rain fails to dampen ethnic pride

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — Despite drenching rain and gloomy skies, the parking area across from the government center was alive with vibrant colors, great Latin and West African music and alluring aromas on June 7 at the first Puerto Rican International Day celebration.

Community member and organizer Evelyn Flecha, wearing a white cowboy hat with “Boriqua” emblazoned on the front, explained “Why should I take my money to New York City when I can celebrate here?”

Imitating the annual Puerto Rican Day parade held in New York City, Flecha planned a festival that would bring local ethnic groups together for a parade, entertainment and a sharing of cultural traditions, including ethnic foods.

Red, white and blue Puerto Rican flags were displayed on car hoods, bandanas, shirts, hats, and the side of Monticello’s fire trucks. Costumed characters of Pokemon, Elmo and Scooby Doo joined festival queens Kimberly Gugliotta of the Rutherford School and Cary Cotto of Monticello High School.

A host of entertainers performed throughout the day, including the all-female band Elisa, and Sawourruba, a West African drumming and dance ensemble. A teenage talent and singing competition was held.

Ethnic food available included arroz y gandules (rice, beans and pork), white rice and red beans, fried chicken and shish kebabs. There was also traditional pastellos (holiday meat patties) and piragua (shaved ice).

The parade made its way from North Street, down Jefferson Street to Broadway, on to the courthouse and back to the parking lot across from the government center.

Stilt walking performances by Talli and Tama Jackson and Jonathan Ross, members of KidsCirque, were cancelled due to the weather, as was a demonstration by the Lightning United Soccer Club.

Disappointed that the day’s festivities had to be shortened by the weather, Flecha anticipated that next year’s festival will be bigger, better and a lot dryer.