Culture News Blog

Next to the American flag, the Puerto Rican flag was raised in honor of the city's sixth BorinquenFest.

The three-day Puerto Rican cultural festival runs through tonight. Saturday's events included a parade from the South Side to City Hall, the flag-raising ceremony and a fair with live music under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge.

"Eat, drink and have a good time," explained city resident Rebecca Torres. "It's important because we're celebrating our heritage."

Puerto Ricans make up almost 80 percent of Bethlehem's 15,750 Hispanics, according to 2006 Census estimates. They are about 17 percent of the city's total population.

"It's the only day we're recognized in the sense we can share our culture with the community in Bethlehem," said Lissette Lahoz, a Bethlehem Township, Pa., resident who served as the parade's grand marshal. "Unfortunately, the community only hears about us when we do bad things, but we do good things, too."

Several boxing club members rode in Saturday's parade on a float with Reggaeton artists Al Escarceo Musik and hip-hop group M.O.S.

"We want to include our young people -- music is very important to them," Torres Cordero said. "It's part of the celebration of our culture and heritage."

Turnout at the festival was heavy, said Olga Negron, vice president of the Puerto Rican Cultural Coalition, which sponsors BorinquenFest.

"Last night -- we call it warm-up night -- and it was as crowded as ever," she said Saturday afternoon. "I expect tonight to be even bigger."

Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com.

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