Gallery Archive 2004
Why are Puerto Rican Festivals in California So Important ?
by Don "Jibaro" Barbanegra
The basic purpose of these festivals in California is self validation and expression, although there's the evident opportunity to have a WEPA good time, like the ones that only come once a year.
The Fiestalegre Group has been around for almost ten years and has established a reputation as one of the Premier Puerto Rican Festival promoters of Southern California. What makes them so?
As you probably may or may not know, EL DIA de SAN JUAN commemorates the birth of the patron saint of Puerto Rico, St. John the Baptist, whom had also more than one festival in early times.
St. John was beheaded by Herod as a request of his fickle wife Herodias, whose daughter Salomé danced so sensually that it made Herod all fuzzy and tingly... (Herod had stolen Herodias from his brother Phillip, John knew it... Herod didn't like John and... well, you get the story, don't you? In any event, that's not why we celebrate the festival, though!
As PUERTO RICANS in USA celebrated St. John's Birthday on June 24, it became a time to come together and exchange more than just business cards. This celebration, started in Puerto Rican beaches as participants made a bon-fire at the beach and a party to go with it.
Somewhere along the celebration, but before midnight, believers were to dip themselves in the water seven (7) times... the last time walking backwards into the waters. This was supposed to ward off evil spirits, cleanse one from past iniquities and fix you up good for a year to come.
Yes. the intrinsic purpose of these events is self validation and expression, but such is much needed, especially when you happen to be so far from "La Isla del Encanto" and you have images of the tales that your mother told you when you were growing up far from home in Montana or The Bronx. This is the closest thing to belonging into the essential nature of all things Puerto Rican. There were no reports of aberrant activity or behavior and for that we were grateful.
This image depicts the performers doing what they do best ... rallying the audience.
What a view ... Standing room only!
Good Weather, Good Music, Good People,
add a dance floor in the middle of the park ... Priceless
