While taking my dog to The Barkyard in LaSalle Park this past Saturday I was surprised to encounter the annual Funkfest concert (The Rick James Memorial Concert). While I am not at LaSalle Park every day, I always manage to catch that show without even knowing that it's taking place. Had I known that it was coming up, I would have posted on it last week.
There are so many festivals in this city that it's hard to keep track of them all. Festivals such as the Annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade for example. On Saturday, September 8th, 2012 starting at 1:00pm in front of Buffalo City Hall, the festive parade will head all of the way down Niagara Street (Avenida San Juan) "as all Hispanic Cultures march as ONE".
The celebration is one where participants don cultural costumes while visitors enjoy amusement rides, traditional music and food, all to pay respects to Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year the festival grows in size. Last year there were over 2000 participants representing 70 different organizations.
Like Funkfest, there will be a free concert held at the LaSalle Park pavilion following the parade - one of the most underutilized outdoor concert venues in Buffalo (why is that?). Then, on Sunday, September 9th, Hispanic Youth Day will begin, giving the younger ones a day of their own.
The Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade is just another example of celebrating the cultural diversity of Buffalo. The Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of Western New York Association invites you to come out to share in the festivities!
Now THIS is what the Puerto Rican Day parade is all about:
http://www.buffalorising.com/2010/09/eighth-annual-puerto-rican-day-parade.html
¡Olé!