This year, traditional groups like "Cuerdas del Caribe", "Orlando
Cruz y los Pleneros de Trastallere" and Carlos Juan "El Lunatico" y su Conjunto Típico
Bohío brought eventgoers back in time in plaza's and clubs where the music was played on warm
evenings all over the island. Dancers of all ages, in period costumes, excited the crowd with tradicional
choreography and music of the ages. Wilma Castro and her dance group "Cultura y Tradicion" brought
thunderous applause as several women, and a gentleman, aged 60 to 80 years of age, danced thier
way into the hearts of the audience. "International Princesses", consisting of four young ladies,
ages 10-12, in colorful dresses showed the crowd how tradition can continue in the hearts of our children. The
all day event culminated with a fantastic musical performance by Frankie Morales and the Mambo of the Times Orchestra,
who had the eventgoers dancing salsa all over Rumsey Field.
.
Special recognition and honors were given
to Jimmy Horacio and Rafael Morales, Puerto Rican pioneers who have made great efforts to advance Puerto Rican culture
in New York, and special acknowledgements to District Council 37 (DC37), SSEU-Local 371 and Local 1549 for
thier sponsorship of this year's event.
Over
the years "Fiesta" has successfully presented its annual all day event to tens of thousands who enjoy our
culture through music, dance and a typical cuisine. .
For those who have attended La Fiesta over the years, thank you for your patronage. We
are presently working on next year's "Fiesta" and hope to continue bringing the best traditional
and contemporary performances to the Central Park stage. Check back for updates and announcements, right
here on our new home on the internet. More photos of Fiesta 2008 below.
Dios les bediga a todos, y nos veremos el año que
viene.
.
- Fiesta Folklórica Puertorriqueña, 2008
