Dominican cultural pride on display

Annual parade winds through Jamaica Plain

On Sunday, Aug. 19, the 33rd annual Dominican Festival of Boston kicked off with a parade.

Traditional dancers in colorful costumes, crowned beauty queens, local personalities and sponsors made their way down Centre Street in Jamaica Plain to Franklin Park. At Clifford Park, near Massachusetts Avenue, the festivities continued until 11 p.m. 

According to Yoleny Ynoa, the festival’s spokesperson, Sunday’s parade included a dedication to Barahona, a province in the Dominican Republic. Representatives from Barahona, including a Senator, were part of the parade.

People dressed up as the “diablo cojuelo” or the limping devil, was another important feature of the parade. The limping devil is a traditional symbol of an old Dominican tale, the character often depicted brandishing a whip to represent the Spaniards who enslaved and whipped the natives.

“It’s important to put our culture out there, it’s something that is very valuable and shows how our community lives, what we eat, what type of music we listen to,” said Ynoa.

“It shows great respect to us [Dominicans] for the city to give us the space and permit to put on this festival, year after year,” he said.

The year’s festival included Latin food kiosks and live music, with Dominican merengue artist, Miriam Cruz, headlining the show.

The annual Dominican Festival parade began at Hyde Square before making its way along Centre Street and Columbus Avenue to Franklin Park. Spectators lined the parade route wearing the red, white and blue colors of the country’s flag. photo: Bay State Banner

The annual Dominican Festival parade began at Hyde Square before making its way along Centre Street and Columbus Avenue to Franklin Park. Spectators lined the parade route wearing the red, white and blue colors of the country’s flag. photo: Bay State Banner

The annual Dominican Festival parade began at Hyde Square before making its way along Centre Street and Columbus Avenue to Franklin Park. Spectators lined the parade route wearing the red, white and blue colors of the country’s flag. photo: Chris Lovett

The annual Dominican Festival parade began at Hyde Square before making its way along Centre Street and Columbus Avenue to Franklin Park. Spectators lined the parade route wearing the red, white and blue colors of the country’s flag. photo: Chris Lovett

Spectators encounter a devil character who represents the cruelty of colonialism. Photo: Chris Lovett