Spain Kicks Off the Grand Event
Written by: Albert Terc
Photos by: Albert Terc and Aluche_Events
Wrapping up the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month was done in grand fashion in a way that only New York can do. A grand parade celebrating Hispanic culture, history and contribution to the quilt of this great city and nation took place on Sunday. Thousands marched and danced and sang with great pride up 5th Avenue while hundreds of thousands cheered them on. This is largest parade of its kind in the US. People came from all parts of the US, Europe, Central and South America to be part of the spectacular event. Media coverage was extended locally and globally via television. Opening up the parade is the display of flags from all the nations participating from an honorary marching band.
Presentation of the Flags
Bolivians with Big Hearts
Honduran Traditional Dress
Panamanian Float
The way this parade works is the opening group is the mother country, Spain. Their representatives dressed in medieval attire this with some amazing costumes. They set the tone for what would be a spectacular show of culture and pride. Countries display part of their cultural heritage starting in alphabetical order. Argentina kicked things off with about 8 pairs of tango dancers. Bolivia showed off a variety of dances. The high energy caporales are dedicated to San Simon (St. Paul) while the Morenales have a more slow rhythmic pace. Tinkus are more indigenous in nature. Then the party started when the Colombians showed up. Their group of a hundred revelers really got the crowd worked up with their fun antics. Cumbia dancers followed them with some traditional steps.
Bolivian Caporales Dancing For San Simon
Frolicking Colombians Starting Trouble
Dominican Lechones Getting the Crowd Whipped Up
Guatemalan Cowboy
Chileans were applauding their dancers recreating the Handkerchief Dance. Costa Rica sent some stylish dancers. Dominicans had their lechones whipping up some action. Ecuador had a group doing a traditional dance. El Salvador sent an internationally acclaimed marching band, El Carbonara to get the crowd ready for more more marching bands. Guatemala sent a group of cowboys and cowgirls with some of the more beautiful horses ever to be part of a NYC parade. Hondurans were proud of their singers and dancers. Mexico had a few traditional dancers that really got the crowd worked up.
Mexican Traditional Dancer
Panamanian Drum Master
Guatemalan Aristocrat
Peruvians dancing up a storm
Nicaragua and Paraguay had some beautiful costumes. Bottle dancers were seen balancing bottles on their head. One of the largest groups of the parade made their presence felt in grand style. Panama sent their ladies dressed in fancy polleras while marching bands from schools in Panama made their people proud. Peru had traditional dancers perform an energetic dance. Puerto Rico has a nice group dancing salsa while the all female drum band Fogo Azul got in on the fun. Uruguay gets to have the most attention when their Candombe drummers and dancers take over 5th Avenue. Closing out the parade is Venezuela displaying their tropical paradise and warning of its threatening loss due to climate change and fires. Political statements are not allowed in the parade but it was clear that Venezuela was sending out an SOS message.
Flamenco Dancers Showing off their Moves
Argentinian Gaucho
Bolivian Diablos
Cumbia Dancers Having Fun
This was one of the best parades of the city because of the different cultures on display. They all speak the same language but all have different customs. It was great to see those traditions passed on from one generation to the other. It was truly a day to be prideful of being Hispanic and a proud day to be a New Yorker.
Photos by Aluche_Events
Que Viva La Hispanidad
NYC Parade Life 