Dominican Community Festival Club Dominicano de Cleveland Estabrook Playground, 4125 Fulton August 17, 2024
August 16 is a national holiday in the Dominican Republic. It is the day when Santiago Rodríguez and his men raised the new Dominican flag on the Capotillo hill which began the war which resulted in the restoration of Dominican sovereignty, the withdrawal of Spanish forces, the separation of the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo from Spain, and the establishment of a second republic in the Dominican Republic.
In Cleveland, the flag of the Dominican Republic was raised in a celebration at Cleveland City Hall.
The next day on Saturday August 17, 2024 the community gathered to celebrate Dominican heritage and culture in an event sponsored by Club Dominicano de Cleveland.
In this video interview, Club Dominicano vice-president Dr. Shoghi Mclean and his wife Karen told us about Restoration Day and the 2nd annual festival.
The Festival began with the MCs introducing Pastor Jose Reyes of Iglesia Nueva Vida Cleveland for a blessing and invocation followed by a song and dance from members of his congregation.
Pastor Jose Reyes
After a rousing rendition of the US national anthem by Rosemary Gramajo Quiñones Guaterriqueña, the Dominican anthem was sung by Laury Melisa Checo.
Singing the US National Anthem
Singing the Dominican Republic National Anthem
Club President Juan Carlos Medina called up the board members and told about the group and thanked everyone.
Juan Carlos Medina
Club Dominicano de Cleveland board members
Other Hispanic communities were also represented including the Venezuelan community as seen here.
The Latina Image Leadership Program is part of Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center and builds leaders by inspiring and educating young Latina women ages 13 to 17 to achieve their full potential through the power of sisterhood. The ladies each represented a characteristic and told what it means to them.
Latina Image ladies
There were welcoming speeches by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, City Council's Kris Harsh and Jasmin Santana and others and special recognitions and honorees for volunteers and community members.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
Councilman Kris Harsh
Councilwoman Jasmin Santana
Then there were performances for the rest of the day such as this traditional dance. And lots of food trucks and community resources.
Young lady traditional Dominican dance
This was the second annual Dominican Festival held in the city of Cleveland. We look forward to the 2025 festival!
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