Passion on parade
Latino Heritage Parade marks a decade of celebrating culture
By Carl Kozlowski 10/09/2008
Pasadena has been blessed with a large and vibrant Latino community, and on Saturday the city is giving it a grand salute with the 2008 Latino Heritage Parade and Jamaica. Featuring opera star Suzanna Guzman as Grand Marshal, Pasadena Mexican American History Association President Manuel Contreras as Inaugural Community Grand Marshal and a theme of “Our History, Our Heritage,” the celebration should be bigger and better than ever as the parade marks its 10th anniversary.
Guzman is famed for her sterling mezzo soprano roles with the LA Opera and is also host of the popular local radio show “L.A. Opera Notes,” a producer/writer/host of “Sunday Evening Opera” and is featured in the exhibit “Latinas: the Spirit of California” at the California Museum for Women, History and the Arts in Sacramento. She will be leading more than 30 parade floats — a new record.
Once the parade ends at La Pintoresca Park, get ready for a jumpin’ jamaica, aka community fair, featuring free arts and crafts, music, dance, exhibitors and Latino foods. Highlights will include local musician Cava with her Afro-Cuban beats and Taiko drumming as well as belly-dancing lessons, old-fashioned games for children, arts and crafts for the whole family, ofrendas remembering loved ones and a historical fashion show.
The festive day is coordinated by Latino Heritage, an organization founded to promote cultural events and educational opportunities while weaving together the various Latino groups within the city.
So at 11 a.m., head over to the corner of Howard Street and Los Robles Avenue in Pasadena and enjoy the fun later at La Pintoresca Park with the whole family until 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.latinoheritageparade.org.
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