New Haven Independent

The princesses were from left in the photo, Kauaneekee Vasquez of Wilbur Cross High School, Mayra Martinez of Career, and Vanessa Colon of Career. They are respectively, Miss Puerto New Haven, Second Princess of New Haven, and first runner-up for Princess of New Haven in the June 1 statewide Puerto Rican parade, which this year takes place in Hartford.

The flag was the Puerto Rican flag. Parks & Rec Vinny Scali was pleased to be tapped for the job of raising it from the flagpole on the Green as part of a noon ceremony to raise enthusiasm for Sunday’s parade. “I guess a cop usually does it, but he couldn’t make it,” Scali said.

Other, smaller Puerto Rico flags were carried onto the Green by classes from Fair Haven School and Columbus Family Academy.

Fair Haven teacher Marta Vasquez and Columbus’ William Gibson brought their students tot he Green Wednesday. The two also plan to march in Sunday’s parade — as Madrina and Padrino.