‘It’s a celebration’: Annual Panamanian Parade brings pride to Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Panamanian pride was fully displayed in Brooklyn on Saturday.

The annual Panamanian Parade took place in Crown Heights, with hundreds of people filling the streets for the annual Panamanian Parade.

Pablo Reid was born in Panama but now lives in Bedstuy. He attended the festivities with his family and friends.

“It’s a celebration of my heritage! Always,” Reid said.

Carla Thomas and her mom, Cynthia, from New Jersey, were there too.

“We get to see everyone who comes from Panama, so it’s a reunion for those who can’t make it to Panama. They get to see those who come,” Thomas said.

This was the 29th year of the parade, and organizers say it’s only getting bigger and better.

Maria C. Willis is the First Vice President of the Day of Independence Committee of Panamanians in New York said “What we are celebrating is the day of independence of Panama from Columbia that happened in 1903.”

“We want to show that there are a lot of Panamanians in the US and diffuse our culture and customs,” Willis said.

Charise Small from Brooklyn agrees.

She attends every year.

“Just being able to celebrate my parent’s roots and knowing where they come from is so meaningful to me. So it’s nice to celebrate with the music, food, and, culture and fellow Panamanians.”

After the parade, attendees celebrated with a festival at the end of the route.

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