photo from 2012
I have not been to the Puerto Rican Parade since it was moved from the Tremont/Clark Metro area, to downtown in 2003. I knew then that it would never be the same once it relocates to downtown and the municipal parking lot that’s along the vacant stadium. I never bothered to validate my assumption, nor did I really care to. Not that I was trying to make a statement with my actions, I’m just not a big parade/festival type person. I’ve been to the Irish parade once and moseyed around the St. Rocco Italian fest for a few minutes on a couple of occasions and I’ve yet to make it to Little Italy for their big parade and festival.
This past Sunday I had some business to do downtown and on my way home I noticed police cars had Superior street blocked off and other cars in the area had their red, white and blue flags that resemble the Ohio flag, waving proudly. I quickly surmised that the PR parade and festival was about to begin.
photo from 2002
As I took a seat on the curb and watched the final preparations for the parade, my mind wandered back a decade to a crowded Clark avenue with people lined all up and down both sides of the street as the procession of participants and floats went by. After the ‘official’ participants finished their route, the real fun was soon to begin with locals that had ‘pimped their ride’ with flags, horns blaring and tires squealing.
photo from 2001
To me, a parade always seems more like a parade when the streets are filled with excited people.
The photos of this years, Cleveland’s 2012 Puerto Rican Parade are here. The 2002 parade are found here and the 2001 PR parade shots are here.
(Source: loumuenz.com)
