Grand Panamanian Parade this Saturday in Brooklyn

The Day of Independence Committee of Panamanian in New York, Inc. (DICPNY) says it will celebrate its 29th Annual Pre-Independence Parade and Celebrations this Saturday, Oct. 12.

DICPNY, a non-profit organization established in 1995, told Caribbean Life that its mission is “to showcase the significant contributions of Panamanians in New York and celebrate our vibrant Panamanian culture.”

It said the parade starts at 10:30 a.m. from Franklin Avenue and Bergen Street, and proceeds to Classon Avenue and President Street in Brooklyn.

DICPNY said the Panamanian Parade in Brooklyn, the largest of its kind globally, outside of Panamá, features diverse participants, including community organizations, folkloric groups, schools, marching bands, and elected officials from the US and Panamá.

At President Street, “performers from Panamá and across the US will showcase their talents before the judges’ review stage,” DICPNY said.

It said the grand parade culminates in a “spectacular” Street Festival at Classon Avenue and Eastern Parkway.

The festivities include delicious native Panamanian and American cuisines, merchandise, Panamanian artifacts, and live music and entertainment.

DICPNY said the 2024 Honorees comprise Grand Marshals Guillermo Nurse, mayor of Oxford, N. C.; and Alberto González Tang, founder and artistic director of Conjunto Nuevo Milenio.

International Grand Marshal: Krishna Camarena, general director of the National Secretariat of Policies and Development for Afro-Panamanians; Parade Ambassador: Bishop Orlando Findlayter, senior pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn.

Community Service: Jimmy McCormick, certified public accountant and Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (founder); and Eric Rolando Roachford, world-renowned pastry chef.

Orgullo Panameño: Edwin Pitti, national correspondent for Univision; Distinguished Cultural Organization: Panamanian Square Dance Group; Distinguished Musical + Cultural Organization: First Panamanian Marching Band of Brooklyn; United Panamanian Veterans Marching Band; and Drums and Bugles International Marching Band Association, Inc.

Parade Marchers: First Panamanian Marching Band of Cristo, Brooklyn, NY, Corp.; United Panamanian Veterans Marching Band; Drums and Bugles International Band Association, Inc.; and Panamanian Marching Band of Atlanta.

DICPN said festival performers include Alessandra Clarke, Renato, Facundo, Reggae Sam, and ft. La Pana & Marilyn; Herbert St. Rose; Malaika; King Blak; ft. Lynx Unruly; and DJ Sounds of Reality.

DICPN said pre-parade official DICPNY-sponsored activities included: A health fair at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church on Hawthrone Street in Brooklyn; Parade Blessing Church Service at Covenant Keepers Ministries on East 59th Street, Brooklyn; Parade kick-off ceremony at  Willink Plaza, Prospect Park, Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn; Arte Congo, a film by Arturo Lindsay, Central Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn; and Panamanian Parade Gala & Queens’ Coronation Ceremony, Antun’s, Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village.

For more parade information, visit http://www.panamanianparade.org