Holyoke to host vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – In Holyoke, Nueva Esperanza hosted its 4th Annual Noche de San Juan Cookout.

Saint John’s Eve, or Noche de San Juan, is on June 23rd and is the eve of a feast for Saint John, the Baptist’s birth, according to Discover Puerto Rico . This celebration occurs two days before the summer solstice and marks a holiday spent at the beach. This night, traditionally, features beach gatherings, music, dancing, bonfires, and the symbolic midnight dip into the ocean for cleansing and good luck.

Not having access to a beach, Nueva Esperanza had to find the next best thing; a block party style celebration with a splash pad at Carlos Vega Park. The Puerto Rican community in Holyoke is the highest per capita Puerto Rican population in the United States outside of Puerto Rico itself, and they are keeping the traditions alive.

“People reach out and they say they feel like they are at home,” expressed Kayla Rodgriguez, the Executive Director at Nueva Esperanza, “The events are very similar, although we don’t have the beach here, and the bonfire because we are not allowed to do it. But, we definitely try to maintain the traditions very closely to Puerto Rico.”

This cookout is an event considered to hold a vibrant collection of Puerto Rican Culture and Community Spirit. The cookout featured free food and refreshments, traditional music, games, volleyball, and more from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carlos Vega Park in Holyoke. Local artist Natasha Colon from Paper City Arts Kids also hosted a special painting activity.

This event was sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council and made possible through the collaboration of local organizations such as Enlace de Familias, YMCA, OneHolyoke, Mass in Motion, Morgan School/HPS, and the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative.

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