By Mike Kinney
The cities of Richmond and San Pablo came together to celebrate Latin American cultures at the inaugural “Fiestas Patrias Parade” on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Cinco de Mayo Committee presented the Fiesta Patrias Latin American Independence Day Parade after this year’s Cinco de Mayo parade was rained out. The parade started at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond and ended at St. Paul’s Church in San Pablo. Thousands of people and their families lined 23rd Street to enjoy the festivities.
“We are such a diversity of culture and people here; it is it a great experience for the kids and youth to see,” San Pablo resident Angie Gomez said, adding that her 6-year-old daughter was particularly excited about the parade.
San Pablo Vice Mayor Arturo Cruz said the parade was important because it brought the community together.
“It expresses the amazing diversity of Richmond and San Pablo,” he said, adding, “Sixty percent of the population of San Pablo is Latin. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the great diversity of communities with one another.”
One parade highlight was the set of five floats designed and created by Richmond High students using robotics and technology.
The sponsors of the Parade event were the cities of Richmond and San Pablo, the San Pablo and Richmond Police Departments, Chevron, Leftside Printing, Travis Credit Union, Sims Metal, Republic Service, NBC-Channel 48, Republic Services, Radio Mexico La Granda, Caravana Bahia, Kaiser Permanente, Mechanics Bank, SRE, First Student, Eclipse, 93.3 La Raza and PG&E.
