When Panamanians step off from Franklin Ave. and Bergen Street at 10:30 a.m.in Brooklyn next Saturday, they will be the first of a trio of immigrant expats marking Hispanic Heritage Month and the history and pride of nationals.
Followed by a day of Hispanic salute and Columbus Day festivities slated for Manhattan, Day of Independence Committee of Panamanians in New York leads a cavalcade of nationals from the isthmus to mark the 28th anniversary year of a legacy.
Perhaps compelled to continue a tradition which hails them hosts of the world’s largest held outside of their nation and the organizers of the second largest celebrated Caribbean heritage parade” in the borough, revelers will also commemorate the 120th year of separation from Columbia by jumpstarting two other public salutes slated in October.
Grand marshals for the day, include Ana Walker-Goldson and Antonio Robles-Simmons, with Apostles Suzette and Frank S. Archbold, Betsy Fernandez, Dr. Patricia Ramsey, parade ambassador George Gresham, Lady Panamanian Parade Queen 2023 Colette Rogers-Whyte and Catherine Paulino, Miss Panamanian Parade Queen 2023 sashed in regalia to display the significance of the occasion.
Three distinguished participants also include emcees Siria Miranda, Willie Panama and Edwin Pitti.
Prior to the spectacular, weekend event, honors to “leaders, educators, artists, and celebrities that have left a cultural footprint on this nation” will be presented on Oct. 5 at Terrace on the Green in Queens.
Another tribute slates an Oct. 6 celebration at the Coal Pot, located at St. John’s Place where a pre-independence day celebration promises a three-hour fete.
However, at the actual parade, traditional dress code guarantees fashion-savvy polleros, montuno, guayabera shirts and dresses, jippa jappa hats, molas, tembleques along with national foods – ceviche, sancocho de gallina, tostones and other uniquely distinguishable identifiers.
On Oct. 7, DICPNY plan to show off the merging of Spanish and African-Caribbean ancestries which brands their geographic positioning as the only place on earth where one can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic Ocean.
Acclaimed Puente del Mundo (bridge of the world) and conduit to two continents, from the highest point at Volcan Baru, Panama boasts the enviable distinction.
The procession will culminate at Classon Avenue across from the Brooklyn Museum where a Latin concert annually attracts revelers.
There too is where art and crafts, food vendors and other merchants usually converge from early in the day to sell their wares.
The 55th Hispanic Day Parade follows the day after and pays tribute to 21 nations with delegations celebrating folklore, music and traditions. DICPNY delegates will join the throngs of unions from all Hispanic countries to commemorate the day Christopher Columbus allegedly first set his sights on American land on Oct. 12, 1492.
Kicking off from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the route from 44th to 77th St. will also commemorate the 79th annual Columbus Day Parade, the largest celebration of Italian-American culture.
Held on a day dedicated to the navigator, music, floats, politicians and Italian-Americans pay tribute to the Genoa, Italy born native whose voyage from Spain is regarded as a landmark discovery recalled in tales about three ships named Pinta, Nina and the Santa Maria.
That day’s parade also lauds the achievements and contributions of the Italian-American immigrant community.
Allegedly conceived for that purpose by businessman Generoso Pope, who led a parade from East Harlem to Columbus Circle the annual salute is a recognized federal holiday.
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