t was a Sunday of music, dancing, and Puerto Rican flags in Springfield, as the 34th annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade kicked off Hispanic Heritage month.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It was a Sunday of music, dancing, and Puerto Rican flags in Springfield, as the 34th annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade kicked off Hispanic Heritage month.
Sunday brought thousands of people to the streets of Springfield to celebrate the city’s Puerto Rican cultural heritage, waving their Puerto Rican flags with music, dancing, and of course a very spirited parade.
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade strives to empower the community by uplifting Puerto Rican culture, representing the island, and leaving a lasting legacy.
This year’s parade theme “Puerto Rican Magic”, meant to showcase what it means to be Puerto Rican today and every day.
“We really hope people feel the electricity and the energy and the essence of our culture, our heritage, what it means to be “borique,” Springfield Puerto Rican Parade President Sash Viands said. “Because everyone’s Puerto Rican today.”
Beyond the bands, schools, local leaders, and community organizations marching, 22New’s own Melissa Torres served as this year emcee with Hector Zavala, embodying the spirit of her culture in the city where she grew up.
“Latinos love sharing their culture with everyone and it’s so important to have events like today that just make you feel so proud,” Torres said. “Because we carry that pride every day but to be recognized and celebrated, it means the world.”
22News heard from attendees about what makes this day so meaningful to them.
“We love the energy, we love the people, we love the music, we love the food,” said Springfield resident Jose Ramos. “We’re out here celebrating our culture.”
As Hispanic Heritage month begins, parade organizers and local leaders told 22News how the community can carry today’s spirits not only through October 15th, but beyond.
“Whether it’s Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, any surrounding towns coming together as a whole, and just being nice to each other, talking, communicating to each other,” Parade Ambassador Alexander Sierra said. “I think that’s the best thing we can do.”