Colombian independence festivals in the U.S.

[colman]

Chicago is having its 8th Colombian Indepence parade this sunday, its quite small but it is nice. Miss Colombia was here yesterday--I actually met Ms.Mendoza, she is from Choco region. Anyway I know N.Y. and Miami dont have parades but they have "picnics". Chicago also has a large "picnic". For some time the Latinos with the exception of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans(numbers) usually would celebrate their mother country's independence in large gatherings usual known as picnics. They vary with each city but they usually have permits and pay a fee to the city or county and they would gather in a large public park or forest preserve. They usual have some musicians coming to perform, "comida tipica" (national dishes), lots of dancing, raffles, booths that sell trinkets and authentic art, soccer tournaments, national costumes and dances, colonial style clothes, jewelry, liquor, pony rides and mini-petting zoos for the kids, clowns and impersonators, basically a combianation of a county fair with "carnival". If any one would like some detailed info about the festivals in Chicago-just ask....---Colman

[AlexG32]

... in response to Colombian independence festivals in the ..., posted by colman on Jul 13, 2002

I just got back back from an Idependence Day celebration here in the Houston area.  It rained like heck but from the looks of things everyone had a great time!

[Fingaroll5]

... in response to Colombian independence festivals in the ..., posted by colman on Jul 13, 2002

I will attend the parade and picnic Sunday July 14. I would like to meet and take a photograph with Miss Colombia Ms. Mendoza do you think that would be possible? Does she speak english? What is the name of the park the picnic will be held in? What area do Colombians live in Chicago?

[colman]

... in response to Re: Colombian independence festivals in ..., posted by Fingaroll5 on Jul 14, 2002

Fingaroll, yes its possible to take pics with her, just dont touch her my cousin and I were at "Pueblito Viejo" restaurant and she was there on Saturday, after giving a small speech they said she would do photos with the people and kids. My cousin went by her I was going to take the pic, he then placed his hand on her back-you know normal picture-taking stance, thats when a couple people from her entourouge told him to not touch her in any way, shape or form----that was embarassing but I guess they had a point. Just got back from the parade, my cousin's father was on his Harley, going to rest here a bit then go to the picnic on Devon and Milwaukee avenues, lots of cuties going to be there. You know the "big" picnic will be next Sunday the 21st. Its sponsered by CUPULA (Colomianos Unidos Para Una Labor Activa) this picnic is definitely the biggest and best. As far as the "Jackson Heights" and "Kendall's", theres not really any big concentration of Colombians clustered in any specific area. Not to sound pretentious but as far as I've notice many Colombians here in Chicago are educated and financially stable and it seems to are scattered throughout the city, but for the most part the majority of Colombians here in Chicago live in the suburbs--Colman