The formal program began with the Cleveland Police Color Guard followed by the singing of the US national anthem and "La Borinqueña" the national anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Beatrice Gomez, Cleveland Clinic EMS Stroke Unit, led the singing.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Cleveland Police Color Guard at Puerto Rican Festival
Beatrice Gomez
Singing the Anthems
After dignitaries gathered on stage, Pastor Omar Medina gave an invocation.
Pastor Omar Medina
Next, the 2018 Miss Puerto Rican Image Nayeli Claudio and Runnerup Aleishka Marrero spoke at the 2018 Puerto Rican Festival in Cleveland.
2018 Miss Puerto Rican Image Nayeli Claudio and Runnerup Aleishka Marrero
2018 Miss Puerto Rican Image Nayeli Claudio and Runnerup Aleishka Marrero
Officer Emmanuel Velez and 2018 Miss Puerto Rican Image Nayeli Claudio and Runnerup Aleishka Marrero
Officer Emmanuel Velez is also the Vice-President of HPOA (The Hispanic Police Officers Association) and served as MC.
Officer Emmanuel Velez
Officer Velez introduced Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson who gave a proclamation honoring the event.
Mayor Frank Jackson
Officer Freddy Diaz, HPOA Secretary and Detective Lisette Gonzalez, HPOA Trustee introduced the Grand Marshall, Padrino and Madrina at the 2018 Puerto Rican Fest in Cleveland. Michael Ferrer was the Grand Marshall, Ivan "Papo" Ruiz was Padrino and Selina Pagan was the Madrina.
Grand Marshall Michael Ferrer
Grand Marshall Michael Ferrer
Officer Freddy Diaz and Detective Lisette Gonzalez with Grand Marshall Michael Ferrer
Officer Emmanuel Velez introduced Selina Pagan as the Madrina
Madrina Selina Pagan and Officer Emmanuel Velez
The number on Madrina Selina Pagan's dress is the number of deaths from Hurricane Maria
Padrino Papo Ruiz with Officer Freddy Diaz
Padrino Papo Ruiz with Officer Freddy Diaz
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Next, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams, Cleveland Fire Chief Angelo Calvillo and other dignitaries gave brief remarks at the 2018 Puerto Rican Fest in Cleveland.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish
Mayor Jackson, Chief Williams and Chief Calvillo
Officer Emmanuel Velez and Police Chief Calvin Williams
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams
Cleveland Fire Chief Angelo Calvillo
Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Harold Pretel
Jeanette Pellot-Ayala, Hispanic Liaison of City of Cleveland
Before they left the stage, the dignitaries posed for a group photo.
Dignitaries at Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade 2018
The Festival continued with music such as these songs from Los Muchachos De La Plena.
Enjoy these 3 videos of their performance.
Los Muchachos De La Plena at Cleveland Puerto Rican Festival
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Enjoy these other images from the 2018 Puerto Rican Festival in Cleveland.
Padrino Ivan Papo Ruiz and Lucy Torres
Puerto Rican Image ladies
Rosa Cruz, Cleveland Municipal School Teacher (Lincoln West)
Selina Pagan, Madrina
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The Cleveland Cultural Gardens consist of over 30 gardens dedicated to honoring a particular heritage. At this time there is no Puerto Rico Garden. If you are interested in helping start a Cultural Garden honoring Puerto Rican heritage please contact us.
