Just when you though there couldn't possibly be another festival this weekend (see "Festivals" in The List), the annual Puerto Rico Cultural Parade and Folklore Festival sneaks up and presents a day filled with family-friendly fun. This highly anticipated cultural and educational affair showcases a diverse blend of the island's best musical rhythms and folklore dances.
The revelry begins at noon on Sun., April 24, when the parade departs from Nuccio Parkway, travels east down Seventh Avenue and dissolves on 20th Street. Afterwards, the festival commences in Centennial Park (Eighth Avenue and 18th Street).
In addition to a medley of arts and crafts booths and delicious regional fare, guests can enjoy festival highlights like Folkloric Ballet, of Cataño, Puerto Rico (2-2:15 p.m.); the Carnival of Masks, from Hatillo, Puerto Rico (2:30-3 p.m.); the University of Puerto Rico's Medical Science School Choir (4-4:25 p.m.); folksinger and composer Antonio Cabán Vale, "El Topo," a national icon celebrating 35 years in the music industry (5:45-6:15 p.m.); Puerto Rican salsa singer Luisito Carrin and Tampa orchestra Bajo Control (7-7:45 p.m.); and violinists from La Asociacin Unida de Varideades Artisticas, of Cataño, Puerto Rico (8-8:30 p.m.). The festivities close with a ceremony honoring the recipients of the 2005 Culture Award (8:45-9:15 p.m.).
For a complete list of performers, visit www.puertoricoculturalparade.com.
-Leilani Polk
This article appears in Apr 20-26, 2005.