Hundreds came out to celebrate Dominican cultural pride.
A two-block area encompassing Montgomery Street and Exchange Place was serenaded with the sounds of merengue, salsa, and bachata. Local musicians included Remie, based out of Jersey City, and Jay Frias.
Another highlight was the traditional dancing of 19-year old Bayonne resident and proud Dominican Frances Candelaria.
There was also prominent a large-scale official flag of the Dominican Republic. And there were vendors selling native foods and items harkening back to the Caribbean nation.
Among the officials who made an appearance were City Council President Mariano Vega and City Councilman Peter Brennan. Also present was Hudson County Freeholder Tilo Rivas, a native of the Dominican Republic.
The festival was sponsored by the Jersey City Juan Pablo Duarte Dominican Parade and Festival Board, which also plans a Dominican parade and festival in 2008. For comments on the story, contact Ricardo Kaulessar at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com
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