Puerto Rican Parade returns to Trenton
A debutante who appeared as a 12-year-old in the city’s last Puerto Rican Parade seven year’s ago, returns tomorrow as a sophisticated, young adult Ms. Puerto Rico 2017.
Call this a comeback for the ages for Tatiana M. Santiago and Puerto Rican pride as a group of diehards resurrected this celebration.
“I’m super excited and honored to be part of the parade again. It’s a second time around and it feels great,” gushed Santiago, a 19-year-old Rowan College at Burlington County student majoring in education with starry-eyed dreams of teaching first-grade children.
“Seven years ago I represented as a Junior Miss. Now I’m the Bigger Miss. I’m all grown up now. It’s fascinating and I can’t wait to see where this life’s journey takes me.”
The return of Santiago occurred after a core group of Puerto Ricans decided to recapture a parade that ended after a 39-year run.
Idamis Perez, president of the 40th Puerto Rican Parade, described difficult times during a parade announcement on the steps of Trenton’s city hall, a rousing event that included a flag raising.
Perez, overwhelmed with emotion as the reality of accomplishment occurred, battled tears.
“This is a very passionate moment,” she said, recalling times when an actual parade appeared inconceivable.
Perez confessed moments when she felt down, discouraged and lost.
“But I had six ladies who stood by my side,” Perez said. The Parade president recognized Juanita Gonzalez, Nilda Garcia, Judy Perez, Blanca Berrios-Ohler, Suania CabanasNegron and Carmen Ruiz.
“I would call (treasurer) Judy every morning with the same question. ‘Judy, we have any money left? And she would always have the same answer, ‘Yes, but we’re almost broke.”
Perez admitted that her all-female crew experienced facets of interaction including fighting, laughing and working together. Success followed.
The Puerto Rican Parade route starts at 1 p.m. at Sun National Bank then heads to South Broad St. and Stockton St. Celebrations continue until 8 p.m. at Mill Hill Park.
“Seven years is a long time. It’s a pleasure to see the parade make a comeback,” said Richard Rodriguez, Puerto Rican Civic Association of Trenton president.