Sonia Ahmed photos
Puerto Rican Pageant Queen Johanelyz Lillianne Arroyo with Puerto Rican Pageant Princess Isonnette O'Brien at Thursday's press conference.
The raised Puerto Rican flag, waving alongside the American flag.
As the city gears up for its ninth iteration of the Puerto Rican Festival this Saturday, New Haveners can expect food trucks and live performances as well as thousands of attendees on the Green.
That information was relayed to attendees at a press conference Thursday afternoon, which featured speakers from Puerto Ricans United, local officials, and the Miss Puerto Rico pageant winners. The crowd also gathered to watch the raising of the Puerto Rican flag.
At Saturday’s festival, there will be 30 vendors in the area, and performers will include singers Charlie Aponte and Juan Luis Juancho.
Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity CEO Lucas Pimentel emphasized the importance of having a Puerto Rican festival by noting that half of the Latino community in New Haven consists of Puerto Ricans.
New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) Supt. Madeline Negrón said the point of the festival is to “showcase the beauty of our roots.” She added that many people forget that Puerto Ricans are naturally born U.S citizens, as Puerto Rico is a U.S territory.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Nuestros Raíces,” or “Our Roots” in English.
Mayor Justin Elicker said he recently visited Puerto Rico, where he enjoyed mofongo, beaches, and the city of San Juan.
“I’m declaring myself an honorary Puerto Rican,” he said, laughing.
State Sen. Martin Looney, who is also not Puerto Rican, said he and his wife love the island, stating that his wife doesn’t understand why more East Coasters don’t choose to visit Puerto Rico over Hawaii.
“We loved it and we will be going back,” he said.
At this year’s festival, there will be more police prohibiting the use of ATVs and dirt bikes on the Green, according to Police Chief Karl Jacobson.
Jacobson said that there will be extra officers to enforce the rule, and rule breakers may be charged with a $1,000 fine, have their vehicles taken, or even be arrested.
“The mayor gets to perform and I get to be the bad guy,” Jacobson joked.
The press conference concluded with the raising of the Puerto Rican flag as community member Ruth Rosa sang both the American national anthem and the Puerto Rican national anthem, “La Borinqueña.”
Puerto Rican Pageant Queen Johanelyz Lillianne Arroyo had a few words to share in advance of Saturday’s celebration: “It really is an honor to represent New Haven because New Haven has such a strong, special place in my heart.” She was joined by Puerto Rican Princess Isonnette O’Brien, who underscored the importance of diversity in New Haven.
Mayor Justin Elicker points to Puerto Rican flag.