Ecuadorrrrrr! Ecuadorrrrrr! Jersey City’s first Ecuadorian Parade & Festival was an afternoon of joy and pride. Ecuadorrrrrr! That’s what you heard, from the floats and marchers and some of the more enthusiastic bystanders. Yellow Ecuador soccer jerseys were the garment of choice. Ecuador flags everywhere.
Ecuadorrrrrr! Ecuador’s bicentennial celebration of its declaration of independence from Spain is August 10, 1809, a national holiday. In 1822, the country finally gained its independence when famed South American liberator Simón Bolívar defeated a Spanish army at the battle of Pinchincha. They shared their party with us. The festive atmosphere flowed down Montgomery. Everyone was giddy.
There were a lot of different beauty queens, young women with tiaras and sashes and they had that mindless wave, palm outspread, moving only at the wrist, back and forth.
There were also representatives from Peru and a few other Latin American Countries. Very uplifting, fellow South American countries augmenting their parade. Peru was there, pretty cool, considering the two nations had a pretty bloody war half a century or so ago. Holding up the rear of the parade was a contingent from Uruguay, with scantily clad women, huge peacock like feathers attached to their costumes, wiggling and prancing to a steady rhythm pounded out by a platoon of drummers. They were fantastic.
There were also representatives from the Jersey City Police and the National Guard. I guess the Ecuadorian presence is a growing one. For a parade with a supposed single theme—Ecuadorrrrr—this was a very eclectic affair. Friendly, welcoming, other countries included, several strata of society. Marchers dressed to the nines, marchers dressed as casual as it gets. I saw a goat, several were walking their dogs, all little dogs, as they paraded. I liked this one banner, the America/Ecuador Association – Established 2007. Only two years old, and already in a Parade. Ecuadorian-Americans rrrrrrrrule.
The parade ended up at Exchange Place, where bleachers and a stage were set up. The grand marshal welcomed all the paraders. The queens and princesses of the day on stage. Seemed like thousands of Ecuadorians, all ages. Families. Everyone in a great mood. There was a festival attached, food and souvenir booths. The weather was humid, the sky cloudy, rain was predicted but never fell. Happy Birthday Ecuador! Come back again next year.
Ecuadorrrrrr! Ecuador’s bicentennial celebration of its declaration of independence from Spain is August 10, 1809, a national holiday. In 1822, the country finally gained its independence when famed South American liberator Simón Bolívar defeated a Spanish army at the battle of Pinchincha. They shared their party with us. The festive atmosphere flowed down Montgomery. Everyone was giddy.
There were a lot of different beauty queens, young women with tiaras and sashes and they had that mindless wave, palm outspread, moving only at the wrist, back and forth.
There were also representatives from Peru and a few other Latin American Countries. Very uplifting, fellow South American countries augmenting their parade. Peru was there, pretty cool, considering the two nations had a pretty bloody war half a century or so ago. Holding up the rear of the parade was a contingent from Uruguay, with scantily clad women, huge peacock like feathers attached to their costumes, wiggling and prancing to a steady rhythm pounded out by a platoon of drummers. They were fantastic.
There were also representatives from the Jersey City Police and the National Guard. I guess the Ecuadorian presence is a growing one. For a parade with a supposed single theme—Ecuadorrrrr—this was a very eclectic affair. Friendly, welcoming, other countries included, several strata of society. Marchers dressed to the nines, marchers dressed as casual as it gets. I saw a goat, several were walking their dogs, all little dogs, as they paraded. I liked this one banner, the America/Ecuador Association – Established 2007. Only two years old, and already in a Parade. Ecuadorian-Americans rrrrrrrrule.
The parade ended up at Exchange Place, where bleachers and a stage were set up. The grand marshal welcomed all the paraders. The queens and princesses of the day on stage. Seemed like thousands of Ecuadorians, all ages. Families. Everyone in a great mood. There was a festival attached, food and souvenir booths. The weather was humid, the sky cloudy, rain was predicted but never fell. Happy Birthday Ecuador! Come back again next year.
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