Honoring Puerto Rican Culture and History

April 22, 2025


 

As a Puerto Rican state representative serving Waterbury, I had the privilege of participating in the unveiling of this summer’s Puerto Rican parades and festivals. These statewide festivities are about celebrating our unity as Boricuas, preserving our Puerto Rican culture, and empowering members of the Puerto Rican community.

There will be an entire weekend celebrating Puerto Rico in Waterbury highlighted by a parade. On Friday, September 5 there will be a wine tasting fundraiser at the Rivera Memorial Foundation. The community will then gather at Waterbury City Hall at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 6 for a Puerto Rican flag raising and Mayor for the Day Ceremony.  

The third annual Greater Waterbury Puerto Rican Day Parade will step off at noon from Freight Street, then goes downtown, around the Green, and ends at Liberty Park. Borifest kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with live entertainment, dancing, activities, and much more.

Don't miss the after party at Commissioners Cigar Lounge on Fairfield Avenue at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for all others.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring this amazing celebration back to Waterbury including:

  • Waterbury Puerto Rican Parade and Festival Committee
  • Afro Caribbean Cultural Center
  • The Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury
  • Rivera Memorial Foundation
  • Polanco & Cabrera Foundation
  • Pa’lante Theater Company

This is a great opportunity to learn about Puerto Rican culture, which allows people to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the contributions we have made. We’re dedicated to honoring the past and embracing the future with our cultural legacy.

Speaking of Puerto Rico, I was proud to attend a ceremony honoring National Borinqueneers Day. The Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, and the only all-Hispanic unit in the military, fought in both World Wars and the Korean War.

In April 2016, the regiment was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. Every year since, on April 13th, we honor the sacrifice and adversity that elite regiment endured for the United States.

The largest standing monument honoring the Borinqueneers, outside of Puerto Rico, is on Beaver Street in New Britain, which was dedicated to the city in 2018.