Bolivian Parade brings vibrant display of cultural pride
September 6, 2017 at 10:17 p.m.
Lidia Vargas of Rye Brook (left), caregiver for Alberta Salkin of Rye (middle), and Alberta’s daughter, Leslie Millman of West Harrison (right), are among the throng of spectators watching the parade from in front of Our Lady of Mercy Church.
Father and daughter duo José and 6-year-old Jocelyn Mora Vega of Purdy Avenue are nothing but smiles as the rainbow procession passes them by.
Dancers of all ages and talents embrace their culture, including those from Fraternidad Folklorica Y Cultural out of Orange, N.J. Leading the pack is Juan Mamani.
Women from Fraternidad Morenada Central U.S.A. don the colors of fire and light up the parade with their sultry steps.
Westchester Avenue shines as sequined dancers reflect the bright sunlight. These ladies are from Fraternidad Folklorica Cultural Caporales Universitarios de San Simón out of Bloque, N.Y.
Pasion Boliviana dancers are decked out in neon green attire.
Marcela Valdez of Port Chester smiles happily as she represents Kullaguada Bolivia.
The Don Bosco Hawks soccer teams from Port Chester proudly embrace their heritage by marching in the parade.
It must get hot under those elaborate costumes. Volunteers such as Chitra Mancilla of White Plains circulates among the processing dancers with orange juice to keep them hydrated.
With bells attached to his ankles, 10-year-old Raney Nelson III leads a group of stomping men from Fraternidad Folklorica Cultural Caporales Universitarios de San Simón out of Bloque, N.Y.
Even horned creatures know how to get their groove on. Fraternidad La Diablada shows off its Hellish Devil’s Dance.
Most of the onlookers watched the festivities through their phone screen, but Maria Zurita, her grandson Gris Evans, 9, Yolanda Tellez, Lilliana Jerias and Dora Bernal, all from West William Street, enjoy them the old-fashioned way – by clapping and cheering as the dancers pass them by.
It’s hard to wave the American and Bolivian flags while clapping, but Osvaldo Castillo of Poningo Street, watching the parade from in front of Irv’s Mini Mart, does his best.
Two-year-old Saige Merritt of Westchester Avenue enjoys the parade behind the protection of the Port Chester Post Office fence.
Noemy Ferreira of New York City, leading the San Simon dancers, is all smiles as she sashays down Westchester Avenue.
A procession of Fraternidad La Diablada (dancing devils) Port Chester is led by an angel.
Government officials get in on the fun, leading the parade. They are, from left: Port Chester Trustee Gene Ceccarelli, Port Chester Mayor Richard “Fritz” Falanka, Alvaro Rodrigo Pinilla, Consul General of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in New York, and Rolando Escobar, president of the Bolivian Cultural Center in Port Chester, and Port Chester Trustee Luis Marino.
Dressed in a colorful costume adorned with lizards and snakes, Sonia Teoleria of Port Chester marches with the Fraternidad La Diablada Port Chester contingent.
Miss Bolivia 2017 Karla Clares of Orange, N.J., representing Centro Cultural Bolivia, poses for a picture on her way down Westchester Avenue.
Miss Chiquita Port Chester is 9-year-old Allison Sanguino of White Plains. Behind her is Nina Reyes of Port Chester.
From wowing audiences and scaring young children, these colorful colossal characters from Fraternidad Morenada Central U.S.A. steal the show as they march down Westchester Avenue in Port Chester during the Bolivian Parade and Festival on Sunday, Aug. 27.
