Panamanians ready to flaunt Hispanic heritage
Since last year, Panamanians
have been anticipating
the second Saturday in October
when musicians, dancers,
singers, politicians, beauty
queens and proud nationals of
the two-star isthmus parade
through the streets of Brooklyn
in celebration of their culture
and heritage.
Held on the eve of the Hispanic
Day Parade along Fifth
Ave. the annual Kings County
assembly coincides with the
nationally declared Hispanic
Heritage Month and mostly
unites Panamanian nationals
in celebration of the country’s
revered discovery by Christopher
Columbus with revelry
in commemoration of their
acquisition and hard-fought
independence from Colombia
in 1892.
On Oct. 12, DJ Noire, Maxwell
Campbell, Carmelita
Smith, DJ Rigo Williams and
attorney Abel Arcia will walk a
path as honorary Grand Marshalls
of the all-day event.
Endorsed by supporters
in Panama, groups from the
acclaimed Puente Del Mundo
(bridge of the world) will travel
north to represent with delegations
of marching bands from
Instituto Fermin Naudeau,
Colegio San Martin de Pores,
Colegio Guillermo Galimany,
Academia Santa Maria and
many more institutions there.
In addition, local music
groups slated to participate
include — Panamanian Marching
Band from Atlanta, the
United Panamanians Veterans
band and the First Panamanian
Marching Band of Brooklyn.
Hosted by the 25-year-old
Day of Independence Committee
of Panamanians in New
York, the annual is reputed
to be the largest Panamanian
parade in the USA and only the
second largest Caribbean gathering
in the borough.
Throughout the years, the
English and Spanish-speaking
Caribbean community have
embraced the spectacle with
Caribbean L 12 ife, Oct. 11-17, 2019 BQ
local organizations, folkloric
groups, schools, marching
bands and elected officials who
converge at the kickoff Franklin
Ave. & Bergen St. to witness
a flag-raising ceremony that
begins at 10:30 am.
Borough President Eric
Adams is expected to join distinguished
guests during this
event before parading along
Franklin Ave. to President St.
A festive atmosphere will
prevail as colorfully costumed
ambassadors wearing national
polleras, native Indian molas
and traditional garb will flaunt
their distinguished heritage.
Decorated, open air cars carrying
pageant queens often follow
the route that culminates
at Classon Ave. and Eastern
Parkway where a huge stage
will feature non-stop music
groups performing rhythm &
blues, jazz, reggae and Latin
music by Osvaldo Ayala, Rossi
Perez, Alferdito Payne, Jazz
Fusion de la Policia Nacional
de Panama and others.
Anyone who has ever happened
into the unique, traditional
display may be able
to relate the preponderance of
foods, crafts, fashion, gadgets,
merchandise and trinkets that
line the avenue forcing revelers
and spectators to spill onto the
park across from the Brooklyn
Museum.
There, a virtual festival
defines the feast that feeds the
senses.
Lasting long after twilight
the gathering of well-behaved,
proud Panamanians to exemplify
the aim organizers envisioned
when they grouped in
1994 to “diffuse knowledge
with regard to the Panamanian
culture” will again boast
a combined heritage.
According to Maria McKenzie,
the public relations spokesperson;
“it was their main
objective.”
Catch You On The Inside!
Marching band of Panama.
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019
Call or Text (347) 305-4497
www.bmcc.cuny.edu/cng
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