KINGSTON, NY – Midtown celebrated the independence of several different Latin American countries with a block party on Liberty Street.
The event featured mariachi music, free food and vendors selling trinkets, jewelry and toys. Many neighbors joined in the festivities, pulling chairs onto their porches or onto the sidewalk and grabbing everything from tamales to hamburgers and hot dogs.
Rev. Joy McVane, Pastor of One Hope Community at Clinton Ave Methodist Church, who helped organize the event along with Jeanne Edwards and other neighbors, said it was natural to celebrate the holiday since many Latin American families live near the church. especially from Mexico and Guatemala.
September 10, September 15 is Independence Day for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 16 Mexican Independence Day.
“The church is part of the neighborhood,” McVane said. “When Jesus said ‘love your neighbour’ he meant the people around the church and we’re taking that seriously.”
“All the neighbors pooled their money for it, except for the music, which was sponsored by Radio Kingston,” Edwards said.
Nereida Jimenez, who lives in the neighborhood, said she liked the welcoming family atmosphere.
“I never thought we’d be celebrating Independence Day here,” Jimenez said. “I feel very, very happy, it’s perfect,”
Kingston Library Executive Director Margie Menard was offering crafts for the kids and had to read the picture book “Pepe and the Parade.”
“It’s great. It’s great,” she said, as she set up a craft and story table where kids could decorate craft maracas as a hit.
Tyrone Linen came down the road with his grandchildren Zakeem Jackson, Anthony Jackson, both 9, and Sophia Jackson, 7, who took turns riding the mechanical bull.
“It’s good that everyone is out here having fun,” Jackson said as Zakeem mounted the bull.
Latelsha Richardson bumped into the party after stopping by the Blue Fridge at Clinton Avenue Methodist Church. “It was a surprise for me. I like the group,” she said.
Nina Dawson, director of the Ulster County Youth Bureau, also crashed the party. She said events like this and last weekend’s Bridge the Gap Festival, which she helped organize, can provide many benefits to the community.
“It’s nice when we can do things together, instead of gun violence,” Dawson said.
