Dublin Core
Title
Sammy Vega
Subject
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Description
Sammy Vega is the president of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Sammy was born and raised in Frog Hollow as he lived near Park and Broad, went to school in the neighborhood, and regularly visited the library. The Puerto Rican Day parade is an annual event which happens during the first weekend of June. The celebration includes music, food, costumes, floats, and more.
Creator
Frog Hollow Oral History Research Team
Source
Interview
Publisher
Trinity College Liberal Arts Action Lac
Date
November 9, 2021
Contributor
Frog Hollow Oral History Research Team
Format
MP3, JPG
Language
English
Type
Interview
Identifier
Puerto Rican Day Parade, Frog Hollow Neighborhood, Park Street, Community, Puerto Rico
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Camilo Ruiz Sanches
Interviewee
Samuel Vega
Transcription
Sammy Vega 11.9.21.mp3
Camilo [00:00:01] So do you refer you to your pocket? Thank you. So today is November nine is 11. It's going to be 12 p.m. And then we are here with Samuel Vega, who I want to thank you for being with me doing this interview, which is a part of this oral history project of Frog Hollow which might be later become a walking tour app. What we're doing with SINA is building this script for that. So somewhere? Can you briefly tell me who you are and me?
Sammy [00:00:47] My name is Samuel Vega, Sammy. So I'm the president for the Puerto Rican Day Parade site of the Peruvian Parade Connecticut Institute of Marine Development. I've been the president for the past 15 years. Then on the board for over 18 years. I'm also currently the CEO for Curatola. And I've been living in Hartford, Connecticut, all my life for 39 years now. Mm hmm.
Camilo [00:01:20] That's great. Thank you. Could you tell me how are you connected to Frog Hollow?
Sammy [00:01:28] Born and raised on Broad Street, near Park and Broad. I went to school in the neighborhood. I went to the library on Park Street, and that's where I grew up. The Frog Hollow. I ran, I played. I spent many time on Park Street.
Camilo [00:01:56] Do you still live in Frog Hollow?
Sammy [00:01:58] No, I do not. I live, actually. Well, that could be Frog Hollow. Well, I live on Saybrook by the Wal-Mart. So I don’t know if that’s considered Frog Hollow, b ut a couple of blocks away from the Frog Hollow.
Camilo [00:02:16] Mm hmm. OK. OK. So I think the main reason you were invited to participate in this project is because of your involved involvement with the Puerto Rican Cultural Group and also the Puerto Rican Day Parade. That's what I know about. If you have more, please tell me more. But let's start with Puerto Rican Cultural Group. Okay? What do you see? When was it born and why, why, why to you? I don't know. Tell me a story. Yeah.
Sammy [00:02:45] Well, again, I was born and raised in Hartford. Puertoricanos and Puertoricanas. Luckily, I had a great parents that told me to adapt to the Puertoricana, the culture. Parents allow me to travel to Puerto Rico every year. They mostly are Latino, Puerto Rican, too. But it’s different than knowing the history. You know, basically when when you growing up, your parents take you to Puerto Rico, you see your grandparents, but you don't know the history much thank thank thankful. I'm thankful for the community committed to the Puerto Rican parade organization that was established in 1968. From I can't even call the name because there's so many and I don't want to, you know, leave anyone out. Thanks for those for creating the organization not only to show the history of Puerto Rico, but also how the Latino could come together and become successful. You know, so it was created back in 1968. Going forward from now, I mean, since the organization started again, it was an organization to not just show the history of La Cultura Puertoricana, but to unite Latinos. By that time, Puerto Ricans to become leaders in the community. You know? So since then, we yeah, we had had police officers in the service, firefighters, teachers. Mayor, you know, so this organization started in 1968 and it helped me how to learn the culture, you know, and not only history, something the Sinai is going out. That's why I love the project of the culture. Another way to promote history is painting, you know, art, you know? So that's basically it.
Camilo [00:05:18] Mm-Hmm. So the Puerto Rican Cultural Group was born established in 1968, and there is this part that's the parade.
Sammy [00:05:28] That's the organization. So the culture I just got involved maybe a couple of years ago. I'm not exactly sure when it was was created. I've been part of the SINA project for about five years now. But mostly no more the history of the Puerto Rican day parade.
Camilo [00:05:53] OK. Yeah. So we can talk about it then. So the Puerto Rican. Just to recap the Puerto Rican Day Parade, which was established in 1968 68, and it has involved this amount of people that you don't want to name because you might forget. Yeah, OK.
Sammy [00:06:11] Yeah, I dig it at one time because I mentioned names and I left some people out. But one of them I can mention is the Maria Sanchez, you know, and that she's one of the heroes, you know? And she established she was part of it. Mm-Hmm. And she was the first Latina to regaining the hold seat on the state. Mm-Hmm.
Camilo [00:06:37] So that's great. Yeah. So tell me what? What is the Puerto Rican Day Parade?
Sammy [00:06:44] The Puerto Rican Day Parade is not only celebration, you know, as while I was growing up like that Puerto Rican Day Parade was just coming out, showing your flag, proclaiming your town was born in that. It's more the history. You know how the Puerto Ricans, especially those that were born and raised in the states, how they got here, you know, and their achievements, you know, so it's a day the Puerto Rican day parade is to celebrate the accomplishments, celebrate and helping, especially the youth. Let him know the history, how we became, how our grandparents fought so hard just for us to be the person we are, you know, and for example, the Frog Hollow area. You know, at one point, I won't say at one point, because now it's diverse. But one point Park St the Frog Hollow area was mainly Puerto Ricans, you know, and that's my area where I grew up. So basically, the Puerto Rican parade is to educate, promote the culture and to help the youth to become not only the better in life, but become lawyers, doctors, leaders in the community.
Camilo [00:08:19] So when does it happen?
Sammy [00:08:22] It's usually the first week of June, the first Sunday of June. Unfortunately, we just had the pandemic like everyone went through. So this year we did it. We didn't have a parade, but usually the first week of June. While it's like basically we live in New England, so June is like the first summer, the first day of the first month that we get good weather. You know, even though I think if I put together a parade in December, I'm telling you our committee will come together because when it's time to celebrate, we celebrate, you know? But yeah, I think it's the beginning of the season and that's when we started establishing the parade.
Camilo [00:09:17] And where from where to where does the parade go?
Sammy [00:09:21] This is very interesting the parade 20 years ago, just start from Main Street all the way to downtown Hartford in the east and go to the main place, the Frog Hollow down Park Street. You know, that was like the epic route. You know, fortunately, after years stopcock expenses, you know, it was it was regarding finance. It was too much to handle at one point. So fortunately, we had to change the room from Whethersfield we had opposite. So the route started now is starting at Berkeley High School in Whethersfield calls all the main street and then take a left by the gold building to the bush. You know, we stopped going down Park Street again. One, it was more expensive to close down the streets and also back in the early 90s, it was. We had a huge incident that happened during the festival that. That's when the gang were active back in the early 90s. Hartford was rated in the top 10 of crime in the nation and unfortunately something happened during that time that we couldn't take a risk. It was too dangerous just to, you know, have people one location, especially on that area at that time. But our goal is we've been doing so well. We've been indicating to the public, the community, the community wants it and our goal is to go back down Park Street and to frog hollow neighborhoods. Nice. Yeah.
Camilo [00:11:23] And looking forward to seeing that happen. So could you describe for someone that doesn't know what is this parade in Hartford how it looks like it's like? Yeah, and that's me. I've never been, you know, I just moved to Hartford two months ago,
Sammy [00:11:44] so we were going to have everyone in the float. Okay, what is the parade? Yeah, it's colorful. Is it bright? Is family, is is so rich. And I'm not saying because I'm Puerto Rican, but I feel like the Puerto Rican culture has the richest culture ever. You know, beautiful are people. Food music is a culture that gets and you don't have to be Puerto Rican. A culture that gets everyone together as one, as family. If you never been, you're going to feel like you're part of the culture. And that's basically what the Puerto Rican Day Parade is. It's showing not only the Puerto Rican community, the entire community, what it is to be loving their culture
Camilo [00:12:45] and is there music, food and costumes. But then, I don't know, can you expand a little bit more like?
Sammy [00:12:54] Yeah, definitely. There's no fiesta. If there's no food, there's no Fiesta, there's no food or music. So basically something is real known. Well, it's different growing up at that food. Puerto Rican food was just a problem because Ella Two-letter but when I started visiting Puerto Rico, the motherland, my grandparents Lavendera in Bangalore and my phone go, you know, so it's different. It's a different, different kind of food, you know? So that's what basically what Puerto Rican is, you know, the food we are known for the great food. And then, as I say, even though we are doing is barangay, but like salsa, you know, but we adapt it. We we adapt to that. I know Cuban, you know, that created the merengue, but it's something that we adapted to the music, you know, especially now the new generation, that new generation listen to reggaeton. And I feel like we have to adapt while the years go, you know, and a difference. You know, la la Bombala planner. I like Aveda, you know, things that that we you will see during the Puerto Rican day parade, people were into whatever era sombrero. So this is beautiful. It's a beautiful, colorful. And I'm grateful also that every year we keep growing, even though that our city is being diverse. You know, there's more Latin American, but we love others to know the history. And we have a partnership where for the past three years now, we have been airing separate live on the English network news eight statewide. And since then, we've been getting a lot of support from Non Latinos organization, helping and donating because they love what we've been doing and to continue promoting the culture, the history.
Camilo [00:15:22] That's pretty cool. Yeah. Can you tell me from what time to what time? Is it one day, several days?
Sammy [00:15:29] Yeah. So usually we do everything that we do the parade and festival one day, but we start from January to June doing activities. You know, we host our actually we have in our banquet. In December, Maria Sanchez Banquet Award that we give out scholarships and also we recognize leaders in the community. You know, we also host through the parade organization. We have the Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican pageant culture pageant. And I wonder if you noticed by cell culture pageant because it's not a beauty pageant, it's where we crown our young lady to represent, to start the parade and also to represent us in the community. You know, so it ranges from eight years old to 18, and a young lady will travel with us the entire state and other places representing Connecticut as Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford. Yeah. So that's basically the. So yeah, I. So you said the day. So we start basically with everything one day. Usually the parade starts at 12:00. It starts at 12:00 noon. The parade is about two and a half hours. It depends how many units when I say units, it's participants. And then from two to nine o'clock in the night, it's the festival del cookie. That's where we gather at the festival, where we have the vendors, music and food activities and vendors.
Camilo [00:17:22] And where is this happening lately?
Sammy [00:17:24] So this happens at the Bushnell Park Pavilion. Yeah, right behind the Capitol. Yes.
Camilo [00:17:33] So you are saying that the parade is a space in which other kind of Latino communities can get involved? Can you tell me a little bit of which communities are kind of enjoying or Latinx communities and are are enjoying this, this parade?
Sammy [00:17:52] Yeah. Well, I honestly are, you know, again, we have so much. We are great relationship with different organizations. You know, not only the Latino organization, but we have the Jamaicans that come in americanos. So, but mostly Dominicans, Cubanos, of the Sabadell, Pedro, they come together. You know, again, is is a day that we all feel like we are part of something, you know? So we welcome everyone. And that's the purpose of the Puerto Rican day parade. You know, we want to show the public, the community what it is being, celebrating the culture.
Camilo [00:18:45] And, you know, so I hear you. That's great. Can you tell me a little bit about numbers of people going to experience?
Sammy [00:18:56] Oh, definitely, yes. So during the parade, we bring a estimate in person for the parade about ten eleven thousand people at Festival de la Cookie. That's when people come in and enjoy the music and the food. We have about 30 40 thousand people attend. Yes, yes, yes. And I believe we have. This might be maybe the third second highest number that we have in the nation of parade. You know, obviously the National Freedom Parade, they have thousands of people that come in, but I feel like we we had the third largest parade organization in the nation. You know, a Puerto Rican year. I'm part of the national Puerto Rican parade and and festival organization. And it's funny because I just came back from a seminar this summer seminar was in Chicago, and that's where one of the members from Ciena approached me and I noticed that they were doing this thing around the city, the heroes and. And in Chicago, they have something that I fell in love in the Hampton that we are in play in and in the works doing it here. And you guys actually SINA is doing it right now in Chicago. They have a place called al Paseo Boricua. Somebody quite is right, a neighborhood in Chicago, where they have different murals around the street. You know the history of how. Chicago, the Puerto Ricans came to Chicago. Wow. You know, and I said, what an unbelievable idea. You know, it was interesting. And that's another way to teach, are you? Besides reading the books history, but just having a vision of how people came to the states, you know, because it's not only the way I feel is not only important, what happened in Puerto Rico is how Puerto Ricans came to Connecticut, especially Hartford, that we have a huge population of Puerto Ricans. So I was excited and I was moved from that.
Camilo [00:21:23] So your plans to replicate the kind of this new oral history of the Puerto Rican immigrant?
Sammy [00:21:28] Yeah, yeah. So we sitting down with our committee. I know it takes a lot of work and I guess history as well, too, but I feel like there's another way that we could keep our history and not only the political history, just the legacy. How Latinos came to Connecticut.
Camilo [00:21:50] Know that's a great idea. Yeah. So we know now the dates, the magnitude of kind of and what happens and is in the parade. I would like to go a little bit more to kind of philosophical and abstract terrain. And I would like you to know if you could talk about what this means for Hartford. While having this parade means for Hartford,
Sammy [00:22:22] it means everything to especially the Puerto Rican community, you know, like I mentioned. It right now, every will, the city is diverse now. You know, it's not like 20 years ago again, it was many Puerto Ricans. You know, and it's great. I like being a diverse because that's how you learn. That's how I learn the culture. Different cultures, you know, because we have to relate to each other. We're going to live together. We have no different culture, you know? But we can't let history. They out, you know. So it's important to continue the tradition of celebrating the Puerto Rican day parade, the culture, because if we don't, we will feel like we can't let history die, you know? So it definitely is something important. And especially the Latino community is growing and it's going to grow, you know? So it's definitely it's very important to continue the history of.
Camilo [00:23:44] How do you think Hartford received the parade so far?
Sammy [00:23:49] So good. You know, we have I mean, they listen to us anytime we because it's not only celebrating, is also when issue comes up. We want to be represented. You know, I think we have many leaders, powerful leaders that will listen to us if something, if a crisis comes, you know, and that's the purpose as well, too, is having people that will be able to listen to us, you know, because we could do stuff, but was really when the community needs something. And if they don't listen to us now, it's not a good thing, you know? But I feel like the community. We have a great relationship with the leaders in the community. So so far, I mean, they listen to us, you know?
Camilo [00:24:50] So that's a way to. So you're saying that also like the parade is a way to create some political sense in the city?
Sammy [00:25:02] And you know what? It's a yes or no because we want we don’t want to make it like politics. But the first parade, the purpose of the parade when the parade started in 1968 was that it was we wanted to unite people, the Puerto Rican at that time to come together so they could hold seats in the state and be the voice for the community. And that's how it started. The reason we wanted to do a parade started in 1968 to gather everyone and fight for our rights. And yes, we the purpose again is not only celebration, but it's not. We can't. We need to let our young the new generation listen. It's great celebrating. It's our culture. But you got to do more. You have to be leaders in the community if you want to make a difference for your community.
Camilo [00:26:05] So, yeah, that's great. I imagine the roles in this league. Forty thousand people, various all age ranges possible, right? I guess people from all ages are coming out. Yes. And I believe that people from other parts of the state come to this parade. Yeah, definitely.
Sammy [00:26:27] Yes. All ages, yes. And Yes, and that's a good thing we bring during the week of June. We bring many people to our our state region, you know, especially Hartford, Connecticut. It's great for the city because not only we attract people from from the state, we attract people from surrounding from mass New York and New Jersey. We when we also attract people from Puerto Rico that flies out here because there's many people that live Puerto Rican and live in Hartford and their families know about this huge event that we always have. But we do attract surroundings, people. So for me, it's great for the city, is great for the business. But sometimes it's a little bit scary too, because when we have so many people. Stuff happens. But you know, it's great for the city. I mean, I think it's great for the city and that's something that happened last year. Nothing crazy happened. But because we were stuck in the house in a pandemic when June came, even though that we didn't have an official parade. What people saw was were so eager to come out and celebrate. You know, I think the city, Halfords, any have enough manpower that they didn't expect that people are going to get together and have a gathering so people started doing their own parade in their neighborhood. I thought it was beautiful. But we also need to. I was concerned as well, too, because people were just celebrating late, you know, and also celebrating in a different way. And it's not about that. It's about celebrating and as a family, you know. But I think the city of Hartford learned their lesson, and I know they will be ready. Be ready for next next year.
Camilo [00:28:32] OK, I have two more questions in my in my in my interview guide. One is like, how do you see for our today? Yeah, how do you see it today?
Sammy [00:28:47] today I see it was, as diverse as beautiful. I see that for how look it can grow. I want to see more history when I say more history, the idea that the world that you guys put up. I think that's a great perfect place, perfect thing to tell history up for a column, you know, for the Frog Hollow is growing. You know, I see that they're building a beautiful lovely apartment. It looks like luxury apartments. And hopefully we can have our people live there. You know, people that can afford it. I feel like frog hollow is the how you see the gateway for newcomers to come in.
Camilo [00:29:43] You know, so how do you manage how do you imagine for a column in the future?
Sammy [00:29:51] I see Frog Hollow if if if the community gets together, comes together, and I think Frog Hollow will be a place that people that come from outside to visit Connecticut, that's the place they will come and visit first for a column. You know, there's a lot of history. I feel like it has a lof of rich history. So.
Camilo [00:30:24] How do you imagine the parade in the future
Sammy [00:30:27] the parade, and I definitely be working hard, but I definitely want to see the parade come down against through Frog Hollow, and I feel like the parade will continue growing. And for the community, that's yeah.
Camilo [00:30:46] So the last question I have for you, Sammy, is if there is any topic, any thing that I haven't asked you about the parade and the connection of the parade with Broo Hollow and the Puerto Rican legacy in the city that you think is important to to live here in this conversation and the record of coffee because this is going to become a public art.
Sammy [00:31:13] Well, again, I love our community, especially the frog hollow community, but now only the frog hollow the entire city because the day we are one. And if we come together as one, I think every neighborhood will be a better place to to be. And I know every neighborhood has a story to tell. Just like the Frog Island, Frog Hollow has a rich history and just like other neighborhoods and we all come together as one. History will. Was it itself, you know? So.
Camilo [00:31:59] Great. Anything else you want to add, Femi?
Sammy [00:32:04] That's basically thank you for having me here. Oh, thank you.
Camilo [00:00:01] So do you refer you to your pocket? Thank you. So today is November nine is 11. It's going to be 12 p.m. And then we are here with Samuel Vega, who I want to thank you for being with me doing this interview, which is a part of this oral history project of Frog Hollow which might be later become a walking tour app. What we're doing with SINA is building this script for that. So somewhere? Can you briefly tell me who you are and me?
Sammy [00:00:47] My name is Samuel Vega, Sammy. So I'm the president for the Puerto Rican Day Parade site of the Peruvian Parade Connecticut Institute of Marine Development. I've been the president for the past 15 years. Then on the board for over 18 years. I'm also currently the CEO for Curatola. And I've been living in Hartford, Connecticut, all my life for 39 years now. Mm hmm.
Camilo [00:01:20] That's great. Thank you. Could you tell me how are you connected to Frog Hollow?
Sammy [00:01:28] Born and raised on Broad Street, near Park and Broad. I went to school in the neighborhood. I went to the library on Park Street, and that's where I grew up. The Frog Hollow. I ran, I played. I spent many time on Park Street.
Camilo [00:01:56] Do you still live in Frog Hollow?
Sammy [00:01:58] No, I do not. I live, actually. Well, that could be Frog Hollow. Well, I live on Saybrook by the Wal-Mart. So I don’t know if that’s considered Frog Hollow, b ut a couple of blocks away from the Frog Hollow.
Camilo [00:02:16] Mm hmm. OK. OK. So I think the main reason you were invited to participate in this project is because of your involved involvement with the Puerto Rican Cultural Group and also the Puerto Rican Day Parade. That's what I know about. If you have more, please tell me more. But let's start with Puerto Rican Cultural Group. Okay? What do you see? When was it born and why, why, why to you? I don't know. Tell me a story. Yeah.
Sammy [00:02:45] Well, again, I was born and raised in Hartford. Puertoricanos and Puertoricanas. Luckily, I had a great parents that told me to adapt to the Puertoricana, the culture. Parents allow me to travel to Puerto Rico every year. They mostly are Latino, Puerto Rican, too. But it’s different than knowing the history. You know, basically when when you growing up, your parents take you to Puerto Rico, you see your grandparents, but you don't know the history much thank thank thankful. I'm thankful for the community committed to the Puerto Rican parade organization that was established in 1968. From I can't even call the name because there's so many and I don't want to, you know, leave anyone out. Thanks for those for creating the organization not only to show the history of Puerto Rico, but also how the Latino could come together and become successful. You know, so it was created back in 1968. Going forward from now, I mean, since the organization started again, it was an organization to not just show the history of La Cultura Puertoricana, but to unite Latinos. By that time, Puerto Ricans to become leaders in the community. You know? So since then, we yeah, we had had police officers in the service, firefighters, teachers. Mayor, you know, so this organization started in 1968 and it helped me how to learn the culture, you know, and not only history, something the Sinai is going out. That's why I love the project of the culture. Another way to promote history is painting, you know, art, you know? So that's basically it.
Camilo [00:05:18] Mm-Hmm. So the Puerto Rican Cultural Group was born established in 1968, and there is this part that's the parade.
Sammy [00:05:28] That's the organization. So the culture I just got involved maybe a couple of years ago. I'm not exactly sure when it was was created. I've been part of the SINA project for about five years now. But mostly no more the history of the Puerto Rican day parade.
Camilo [00:05:53] OK. Yeah. So we can talk about it then. So the Puerto Rican. Just to recap the Puerto Rican Day Parade, which was established in 1968 68, and it has involved this amount of people that you don't want to name because you might forget. Yeah, OK.
Sammy [00:06:11] Yeah, I dig it at one time because I mentioned names and I left some people out. But one of them I can mention is the Maria Sanchez, you know, and that she's one of the heroes, you know? And she established she was part of it. Mm-Hmm. And she was the first Latina to regaining the hold seat on the state. Mm-Hmm.
Camilo [00:06:37] So that's great. Yeah. So tell me what? What is the Puerto Rican Day Parade?
Sammy [00:06:44] The Puerto Rican Day Parade is not only celebration, you know, as while I was growing up like that Puerto Rican Day Parade was just coming out, showing your flag, proclaiming your town was born in that. It's more the history. You know how the Puerto Ricans, especially those that were born and raised in the states, how they got here, you know, and their achievements, you know, so it's a day the Puerto Rican day parade is to celebrate the accomplishments, celebrate and helping, especially the youth. Let him know the history, how we became, how our grandparents fought so hard just for us to be the person we are, you know, and for example, the Frog Hollow area. You know, at one point, I won't say at one point, because now it's diverse. But one point Park St the Frog Hollow area was mainly Puerto Ricans, you know, and that's my area where I grew up. So basically, the Puerto Rican parade is to educate, promote the culture and to help the youth to become not only the better in life, but become lawyers, doctors, leaders in the community.
Camilo [00:08:19] So when does it happen?
Sammy [00:08:22] It's usually the first week of June, the first Sunday of June. Unfortunately, we just had the pandemic like everyone went through. So this year we did it. We didn't have a parade, but usually the first week of June. While it's like basically we live in New England, so June is like the first summer, the first day of the first month that we get good weather. You know, even though I think if I put together a parade in December, I'm telling you our committee will come together because when it's time to celebrate, we celebrate, you know? But yeah, I think it's the beginning of the season and that's when we started establishing the parade.
Camilo [00:09:17] And where from where to where does the parade go?
Sammy [00:09:21] This is very interesting the parade 20 years ago, just start from Main Street all the way to downtown Hartford in the east and go to the main place, the Frog Hollow down Park Street. You know, that was like the epic route. You know, fortunately, after years stopcock expenses, you know, it was it was regarding finance. It was too much to handle at one point. So fortunately, we had to change the room from Whethersfield we had opposite. So the route started now is starting at Berkeley High School in Whethersfield calls all the main street and then take a left by the gold building to the bush. You know, we stopped going down Park Street again. One, it was more expensive to close down the streets and also back in the early 90s, it was. We had a huge incident that happened during the festival that. That's when the gang were active back in the early 90s. Hartford was rated in the top 10 of crime in the nation and unfortunately something happened during that time that we couldn't take a risk. It was too dangerous just to, you know, have people one location, especially on that area at that time. But our goal is we've been doing so well. We've been indicating to the public, the community, the community wants it and our goal is to go back down Park Street and to frog hollow neighborhoods. Nice. Yeah.
Camilo [00:11:23] And looking forward to seeing that happen. So could you describe for someone that doesn't know what is this parade in Hartford how it looks like it's like? Yeah, and that's me. I've never been, you know, I just moved to Hartford two months ago,
Sammy [00:11:44] so we were going to have everyone in the float. Okay, what is the parade? Yeah, it's colorful. Is it bright? Is family, is is so rich. And I'm not saying because I'm Puerto Rican, but I feel like the Puerto Rican culture has the richest culture ever. You know, beautiful are people. Food music is a culture that gets and you don't have to be Puerto Rican. A culture that gets everyone together as one, as family. If you never been, you're going to feel like you're part of the culture. And that's basically what the Puerto Rican Day Parade is. It's showing not only the Puerto Rican community, the entire community, what it is to be loving their culture
Camilo [00:12:45] and is there music, food and costumes. But then, I don't know, can you expand a little bit more like?
Sammy [00:12:54] Yeah, definitely. There's no fiesta. If there's no food, there's no Fiesta, there's no food or music. So basically something is real known. Well, it's different growing up at that food. Puerto Rican food was just a problem because Ella Two-letter but when I started visiting Puerto Rico, the motherland, my grandparents Lavendera in Bangalore and my phone go, you know, so it's different. It's a different, different kind of food, you know? So that's what basically what Puerto Rican is, you know, the food we are known for the great food. And then, as I say, even though we are doing is barangay, but like salsa, you know, but we adapt it. We we adapt to that. I know Cuban, you know, that created the merengue, but it's something that we adapted to the music, you know, especially now the new generation, that new generation listen to reggaeton. And I feel like we have to adapt while the years go, you know, and a difference. You know, la la Bombala planner. I like Aveda, you know, things that that we you will see during the Puerto Rican day parade, people were into whatever era sombrero. So this is beautiful. It's a beautiful, colorful. And I'm grateful also that every year we keep growing, even though that our city is being diverse. You know, there's more Latin American, but we love others to know the history. And we have a partnership where for the past three years now, we have been airing separate live on the English network news eight statewide. And since then, we've been getting a lot of support from Non Latinos organization, helping and donating because they love what we've been doing and to continue promoting the culture, the history.
Camilo [00:15:22] That's pretty cool. Yeah. Can you tell me from what time to what time? Is it one day, several days?
Sammy [00:15:29] Yeah. So usually we do everything that we do the parade and festival one day, but we start from January to June doing activities. You know, we host our actually we have in our banquet. In December, Maria Sanchez Banquet Award that we give out scholarships and also we recognize leaders in the community. You know, we also host through the parade organization. We have the Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican pageant culture pageant. And I wonder if you noticed by cell culture pageant because it's not a beauty pageant, it's where we crown our young lady to represent, to start the parade and also to represent us in the community. You know, so it ranges from eight years old to 18, and a young lady will travel with us the entire state and other places representing Connecticut as Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford. Yeah. So that's basically the. So yeah, I. So you said the day. So we start basically with everything one day. Usually the parade starts at 12:00. It starts at 12:00 noon. The parade is about two and a half hours. It depends how many units when I say units, it's participants. And then from two to nine o'clock in the night, it's the festival del cookie. That's where we gather at the festival, where we have the vendors, music and food activities and vendors.
Camilo [00:17:22] And where is this happening lately?
Sammy [00:17:24] So this happens at the Bushnell Park Pavilion. Yeah, right behind the Capitol. Yes.
Camilo [00:17:33] So you are saying that the parade is a space in which other kind of Latino communities can get involved? Can you tell me a little bit of which communities are kind of enjoying or Latinx communities and are are enjoying this, this parade?
Sammy [00:17:52] Yeah. Well, I honestly are, you know, again, we have so much. We are great relationship with different organizations. You know, not only the Latino organization, but we have the Jamaicans that come in americanos. So, but mostly Dominicans, Cubanos, of the Sabadell, Pedro, they come together. You know, again, is is a day that we all feel like we are part of something, you know? So we welcome everyone. And that's the purpose of the Puerto Rican day parade. You know, we want to show the public, the community what it is being, celebrating the culture.
Camilo [00:18:45] And, you know, so I hear you. That's great. Can you tell me a little bit about numbers of people going to experience?
Sammy [00:18:56] Oh, definitely, yes. So during the parade, we bring a estimate in person for the parade about ten eleven thousand people at Festival de la Cookie. That's when people come in and enjoy the music and the food. We have about 30 40 thousand people attend. Yes, yes, yes. And I believe we have. This might be maybe the third second highest number that we have in the nation of parade. You know, obviously the National Freedom Parade, they have thousands of people that come in, but I feel like we we had the third largest parade organization in the nation. You know, a Puerto Rican year. I'm part of the national Puerto Rican parade and and festival organization. And it's funny because I just came back from a seminar this summer seminar was in Chicago, and that's where one of the members from Ciena approached me and I noticed that they were doing this thing around the city, the heroes and. And in Chicago, they have something that I fell in love in the Hampton that we are in play in and in the works doing it here. And you guys actually SINA is doing it right now in Chicago. They have a place called al Paseo Boricua. Somebody quite is right, a neighborhood in Chicago, where they have different murals around the street. You know the history of how. Chicago, the Puerto Ricans came to Chicago. Wow. You know, and I said, what an unbelievable idea. You know, it was interesting. And that's another way to teach, are you? Besides reading the books history, but just having a vision of how people came to the states, you know, because it's not only the way I feel is not only important, what happened in Puerto Rico is how Puerto Ricans came to Connecticut, especially Hartford, that we have a huge population of Puerto Ricans. So I was excited and I was moved from that.
Camilo [00:21:23] So your plans to replicate the kind of this new oral history of the Puerto Rican immigrant?
Sammy [00:21:28] Yeah, yeah. So we sitting down with our committee. I know it takes a lot of work and I guess history as well, too, but I feel like there's another way that we could keep our history and not only the political history, just the legacy. How Latinos came to Connecticut.
Camilo [00:21:50] Know that's a great idea. Yeah. So we know now the dates, the magnitude of kind of and what happens and is in the parade. I would like to go a little bit more to kind of philosophical and abstract terrain. And I would like you to know if you could talk about what this means for Hartford. While having this parade means for Hartford,
Sammy [00:22:22] it means everything to especially the Puerto Rican community, you know, like I mentioned. It right now, every will, the city is diverse now. You know, it's not like 20 years ago again, it was many Puerto Ricans. You know, and it's great. I like being a diverse because that's how you learn. That's how I learn the culture. Different cultures, you know, because we have to relate to each other. We're going to live together. We have no different culture, you know? But we can't let history. They out, you know. So it's important to continue the tradition of celebrating the Puerto Rican day parade, the culture, because if we don't, we will feel like we can't let history die, you know? So it definitely is something important. And especially the Latino community is growing and it's going to grow, you know? So it's definitely it's very important to continue the history of.
Camilo [00:23:44] How do you think Hartford received the parade so far?
Sammy [00:23:49] So good. You know, we have I mean, they listen to us anytime we because it's not only celebrating, is also when issue comes up. We want to be represented. You know, I think we have many leaders, powerful leaders that will listen to us if something, if a crisis comes, you know, and that's the purpose as well, too, is having people that will be able to listen to us, you know, because we could do stuff, but was really when the community needs something. And if they don't listen to us now, it's not a good thing, you know? But I feel like the community. We have a great relationship with the leaders in the community. So so far, I mean, they listen to us, you know?
Camilo [00:24:50] So that's a way to. So you're saying that also like the parade is a way to create some political sense in the city?
Sammy [00:25:02] And you know what? It's a yes or no because we want we don’t want to make it like politics. But the first parade, the purpose of the parade when the parade started in 1968 was that it was we wanted to unite people, the Puerto Rican at that time to come together so they could hold seats in the state and be the voice for the community. And that's how it started. The reason we wanted to do a parade started in 1968 to gather everyone and fight for our rights. And yes, we the purpose again is not only celebration, but it's not. We can't. We need to let our young the new generation listen. It's great celebrating. It's our culture. But you got to do more. You have to be leaders in the community if you want to make a difference for your community.
Camilo [00:26:05] So, yeah, that's great. I imagine the roles in this league. Forty thousand people, various all age ranges possible, right? I guess people from all ages are coming out. Yes. And I believe that people from other parts of the state come to this parade. Yeah, definitely.
Sammy [00:26:27] Yes. All ages, yes. And Yes, and that's a good thing we bring during the week of June. We bring many people to our our state region, you know, especially Hartford, Connecticut. It's great for the city because not only we attract people from from the state, we attract people from surrounding from mass New York and New Jersey. We when we also attract people from Puerto Rico that flies out here because there's many people that live Puerto Rican and live in Hartford and their families know about this huge event that we always have. But we do attract surroundings, people. So for me, it's great for the city, is great for the business. But sometimes it's a little bit scary too, because when we have so many people. Stuff happens. But you know, it's great for the city. I mean, I think it's great for the city and that's something that happened last year. Nothing crazy happened. But because we were stuck in the house in a pandemic when June came, even though that we didn't have an official parade. What people saw was were so eager to come out and celebrate. You know, I think the city, Halfords, any have enough manpower that they didn't expect that people are going to get together and have a gathering so people started doing their own parade in their neighborhood. I thought it was beautiful. But we also need to. I was concerned as well, too, because people were just celebrating late, you know, and also celebrating in a different way. And it's not about that. It's about celebrating and as a family, you know. But I think the city of Hartford learned their lesson, and I know they will be ready. Be ready for next next year.
Camilo [00:28:32] OK, I have two more questions in my in my in my interview guide. One is like, how do you see for our today? Yeah, how do you see it today?
Sammy [00:28:47] today I see it was, as diverse as beautiful. I see that for how look it can grow. I want to see more history when I say more history, the idea that the world that you guys put up. I think that's a great perfect place, perfect thing to tell history up for a column, you know, for the Frog Hollow is growing. You know, I see that they're building a beautiful lovely apartment. It looks like luxury apartments. And hopefully we can have our people live there. You know, people that can afford it. I feel like frog hollow is the how you see the gateway for newcomers to come in.
Camilo [00:29:43] You know, so how do you manage how do you imagine for a column in the future?
Sammy [00:29:51] I see Frog Hollow if if if the community gets together, comes together, and I think Frog Hollow will be a place that people that come from outside to visit Connecticut, that's the place they will come and visit first for a column. You know, there's a lot of history. I feel like it has a lof of rich history. So.
Camilo [00:30:24] How do you imagine the parade in the future
Sammy [00:30:27] the parade, and I definitely be working hard, but I definitely want to see the parade come down against through Frog Hollow, and I feel like the parade will continue growing. And for the community, that's yeah.
Camilo [00:30:46] So the last question I have for you, Sammy, is if there is any topic, any thing that I haven't asked you about the parade and the connection of the parade with Broo Hollow and the Puerto Rican legacy in the city that you think is important to to live here in this conversation and the record of coffee because this is going to become a public art.
Sammy [00:31:13] Well, again, I love our community, especially the frog hollow community, but now only the frog hollow the entire city because the day we are one. And if we come together as one, I think every neighborhood will be a better place to to be. And I know every neighborhood has a story to tell. Just like the Frog Island, Frog Hollow has a rich history and just like other neighborhoods and we all come together as one. History will. Was it itself, you know? So.
Camilo [00:31:59] Great. Anything else you want to add, Femi?
Sammy [00:32:04] That's basically thank you for having me here. Oh, thank you.
Original Format
Audio Recording
Duration
31 min