by Juanita García Avilés
This year, we celebrated the 19th Annual Paseo Boricua Parranda. Hundreds of Boricuas joined this joyous event, helping spread so much holiday cheer. Traditions such as this keep us rooted in our culture and community and force us to appreciate each other, the organizations that support us, the restaurants that feed us, the musicians that keep us in constant motion, and the community that reminds us that we belong here. Thanks to Hispanic Housing for hosting us, Alderperson Fuentes and Representative Jiménez for supporting and promoting the parranda, La Escuelita Bombera De Corazón, and Ivelisse for saying presente and leading the parranda, and to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center for their half-century of advocacy and struggle to ensure that Boricuas in Chicago have a pedacito de patria on our beloved Division. A very special thanks to all the businesses on Paseo Boricua for welcoming the parranda and generously sharing a variety of treats with us.
Next year will be the 20th Paseo Boricua Parranda, and we will celebrate with style. If you are interested in helping organize the 20th, email [email protected]
