Puerto Rican Day Parade marches on despite rain in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Dedicated spectators came to watch Philadelphia's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday, prepared with umbrellas and ponchos.
The music, the dancing, and the cheers all went on in the downpours brought by the remnants of Post-Tropical Cyclone Ophelia.
"My kids have never been to it. So we wanted to come out and enjoy it, even if it's raining," said Kaliani Candelario from North Philadelphia, whose family is from Puerto Rico.
She brought her two children to the parade for the first time.
READ | Ophelia weakens as it moves up the East Coast, bringing heavy rain from North Carolina to New Jersey
"For them to actually see it up close and personal, they learn more. They need to know where they came from," she said.
Student groups spent hours and hours learning and practicing their dances, so they were ready to compete on Sunday.
Action News spoke with students from the Memphis Street Academy Charter School just before the parade.
They performed a salsa dance in vibrant red costumes.
"Oh, we're about to be dancing in the rain!" said student Briel Askins.
"This is great because a lot of our kids come from Puerto Rico. The vast majority of our students are Hispanic and Black. So for us to participate in this is great for their culture and their heritage," said principal Steven Bilski.
Action News Anchor Alyana Gomez co-hosted the parade that aired on 6abc.
It's an event that's close to her heart.
"To see Puerto Ricans coming together, celebrating with music and dance, there are tables here for resources and things like that. It's just a wonderful opportunity to bring the culture and the community together," said Gomez.
The parade has been held annually since 1964.
It's only been canceled once because of the pandemic.
Organizers say they didn't want to let the weather stand in the way of this tradition.
"Any other time we push through. It's just an important way to pay homage to Puerto Ricans in the community. How much effort they've built in the city and also that connection they have with the island," said organizer Adonis Banegas with the social services organization Concilio.
Even the smallest of dancers made their way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art with their Puerto Rican pride on display.
Three to five-year-olds from the preschool program of Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha danced in costume in the rain.
"We have to celebrate everyone here," said Margarita Hernandez with Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha. "Today we are proud to be Puerto Rican even if we are not!"
