Capt. Alan G. Fletcher of the Holyoke Police Department estimated the crowd at 3,000 to 5,000 people.
HOLYOKE – The 25th anniversary of the Western Massachusetts Puerto Rican Parade and Family Festival finished off its four-day run with the Puerto Rican Parade on Sunday, followed by live music, food and carnival games in Springdale Park.
The parade kicked off at noon from the rear parking lot of Holyoke High School, traveled down Pine Street, hooked right on Sargeant Street, went left down High Street and ended at City Hall on Dwight Street. The route was approximately a mile and a half long.
Local community organizations, cheerleading squads, supporters of political candidates and many more showed the pride they take in their heritage. Most floats and parade vehicles were decked out in Puerto Rican flags. Radio station DJ’s played enough salsa, merengue and reggaeton music to keep parade-goers dancing on the sidewalks along the route.
The parade was organized by La Familia Hispana, Inc.
Capt. Alan G. Fletcher of the Holyoke Police Department estimated the crowd at 3,000 to 5,000 people. He marched and received an award from organizers for his years of dedication to the event.
“It’s the first time I’ve been honored by the Hispanic community and it’s a great honor,” said Fletcher. For about 20 years, he has coordinated the department’s work on the festival, including staffing and parking.
“When you get an award from the community, it means a lot,” he said.
Festival organizer and Ward 2 city councilor Diosdado Lopez said that everything Puerto Ricans do grows and improves with time. When he and a group of volunteers started the event a quarter of a century ago, it lasted half a day, he said.
“A lot of people still have connections in Puerto Rico. We go back and forth all the time, half of the family is there and half is here,” he said. “That’s very strong. ... They identify well with the Puerto Rican culture.”
The Hispanic community as a whole is responsible for all of Massachusetts’ population growth in the past decade, according to the 2010 census figures. The state’s population grew 3.1 percent since 2000 and census data shows it was due largely to the births of Hispanic children. Hispanics make up 48.4 percent of Holyoke’s population, up 7 percent from 2000, according to census data.
Nevertheless, Lopez acknowledges, there is still prejudice against Hispanics, but he said he sees that waning.
“I came here when I was 14 years old and it was real bad. But now it’s a lot better,” the 46-year-old said. “We basically are asking for the same things. We want to do better, we want to get the community moving, we want to buy houses, we want to open businesses.”
“Some people cannot get over that and it’s going to take a number of years,” said Lopez.
While the events were largely catered to Hispanics, Lopez said everyone was welcome and organizers take requests for all different kinds of events and activities.
Fletcher said the crowd was very well-behaved. Officers broke up a few minor fights between kids and issued some traffic tickets, but there were no major problems.
Lopez became the city’s first Hispanic city councilor when he was elected in 1991.
“Soon I’m sure you’re going to see a (Puerto Rican) mayor of the city,” said Lopez. “It’s going to happen.”