CT delegation, families will travel to the first Puerto Rican parade in San Juan – NBC Connecticut
Hundreds of Connecticut residents will touch down in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to celebrate a historic moment next week.
“I’m so excited to see everyone coming together for a cause and supporting each other,” said CICD President Sammy Vega.
Next Saturday, May 18, the first Puerto Rican parade will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is part of a larger months-long initiative organized by Junto Boricua that aims to increase tourism on the island. The initiative generated much more.
“It became like a reunion of families, who hadn’t seen each other for a long time, including mine,” said Junta Boricua’s Ambassador, Sonia Alvelo.
For former Hartford Fire Chief Edward Casares, it will be an opportunity to reconnect with family for the first time in more than a decade. He is also celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with his wife.
“It all comes together and what better place to be than where you came from, we’re both from there, our families are from there,” Casares said.
Connecticut Community Development Institute Parade Committee Chairman Sammy Vega will participate in the parade, along with other parade committees from Connecticut such as New Haven.
“I feel like it’s something that will be in the history books,” Vega said.
Vega, an attorney at Dressler Law, will also travel to two schools to celebrate the end of the school year.
“We’re going to give out some gift cards, the last day of school is this week for them, so we’re going to give them some family vacation packages, we’re renting some bouncy houses, it’s going to be a party, a celebration,” Vega said.
Alvelo said the parade is not just about celebration. The festivities will help boost business on the island and educate the next generation.
“I just want to make sure that they remember something powerful in our culture, so that they actually remember when I’m not here, oh my God, I have to continue this tradition,” Alvelo said.
Ambassador and entrepreneur Kayelani Vasquez will travel with like-minded businesswomen. It’s a moment she describes as a dream come true.
“So being able to bring what I’m doing and a little piece of myself, who Kayelani is, and be around such influential women that I admire, like Sônia, is an honor. I feel like I’m living my wildest dream,” said Junta Boricua Ambassador Kayelani Vasquez.
More than 150 Connecticut residents are expected to participate in the parade. Latin Financial sponsored the two Connecticut floats that will travel the parade route.
