On Thursday, August 11 at 12 noon, in front of Buffalo City Hall, the 14th Annual Flag Raising Ceremony is scheduled to be held. Each year, the Hispanic community comes together to celebrate its culture, by raising the flag.
On Saturday, August 20, 2016, celebrants will parade down Niagara Street (Avenida San Juan), to show their pride for their homeland. The parade starts at City Hall at 1pm.
This year’s theme is “Representa/Represent”.
“With the date changed from 2nd week in September to third week in August, the President Yolanda Martinez-Rodriguez expects this to be one of the highest attended events since it’s inception in 2003,” said Yolanda Martinez-Rodriguez, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of Western New York Association (PRHDP) President.
This year, the PRHDP has chosen to honor three people who will be recognized throughout the weekend.
- Wilfred “Willie” Rosas, 41st Mayor of the City of Dunkirk has been named the 2016 Grand Marshal
- Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations at Goya Foods, has been named a 2016 Honorary Host
- Maria Rivera, founder and host of LaVoz of WNY, has also been named a 2016 Honorary Host
In addition to the flag raising and the parade, there are plenty of other events to look forward to, all of which take place at LaSalle Park (Friday evening through Sunday). There will be plenty of ethnic food, kids’ activities, live music, dances… all paying tribute to Hispanic culture.
Celebrating Mexicans, Dominicans, Cubans, Colombians, and others from the Caribbean, Central American and South American Hispanic countries.
Friday, August 19th at LaSalle Park:
Food, activities and free concerts
Saturday, August 20th at LaSalle Park:
Orchestra Antonetti performs a few hits from their newly released CD “Pa’Rato”
The great tropicalstsalsero artist, Charlie Cruz will also be performing
Sunday, August 21 at LaSalle Park
Dancers, entertainers and bands performing through-out the day including Cojunto Ecos Borincanos, Mariachi Band Zelaya and Amor & Heritage Dance Company
Later on that evening, local band LaKrema will accompany el Gran Merenguero Ronny Soler
To close out this year’s parade events concert series on Sunday – the Nuyorrican salsa singer Michael Stuart
There will be fun events for children, teens and families all day Saturday and Sunday
For information on parade participation, contact us at 716-310-8644 or email prparadeofwny@gmail.com. Also visit Facebook for more details.