Staten Island Puerto Rican community celebrates inaugural Boricua Culture Fest

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — People of all ages made their way to the South Meadow of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Livingston Sunday for the first ever Puerto Rican Day celebration in the borough — the Staten Island Boricua Culture Fest.

The event, born out of the Staten Island Puerto Rican Neighbors Facebook group, was initially intended to be a barbecue at an area park, but quickly evolved into a much larger celebration requiring more space, planning and money.

The fest’s founder, Marjorie Garcia of Port Richmond, envisioned the day as a way to bring attention to the borough’s Puerto Rican community of about 40,000 residents, she told the Advance/SILive.com.

“There are no Puerto Rican neighborhoods on Staten Island; the community is mixed in with other cultures,” Garcia explained. “So, we thought we’d all hang out together for everyone to enjoy Puerto Rican culture.”

“We are Americans who were born in America and are very much part of the fabric of the city,” she added. “Everybody has had a Puerto Rican neighbor and enjoys our food and our music.”

Garcia partnered with DOCO Entertainment’s Daniel Ortiz of Great Kills and Jose “Joe Bedrock” Mejia of Graniteville to bring the celebration to life.

Over 3,000 attended the fest throughout the day, which ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to Garcia

The fest was sponsored by Maker Park Radio, the non-profit streaming radio station broadcasting out of Stapleton that just recently held its fourth annual vinyl record fair in Tompkinsville.

“I just wanted to help get this going; it’s culturally significant,” said Kristin Wallace, co-founder of Maker Park. “It’s great to see everyone come out to enjoy something positive. The turnout exceeded my expectations.”

Many in the large, receptive crowd danced the day away as DJs and live performers cut it up with a nearly non-stop and vast variety of music that served as a fitting soundtrack. Others gathered with family, embraced old friends, and just sat back taking in the festive atmosphere.

“I’m just really enjoying myself,” said Ellie Santiago of Bushwick, Brooklyn, who made the trip to the Island specifically for the celebration. “What a great way to spend a Sunday.”

Several vendors sold merchandise featuring the flag of Puerto Rico, among other items. Meanwhile, children who weren’t chasing each other around the large open space were busy catching air in a bouncy house.

There was also plenty for foodies to partake in, as long lines formed for piña coladas, lemonade, traditional rice and beans, empanadas, alcapurria (green banana and meat fritters) and bacalaito (salted codfish fritters). Chicken wings, pork shoulder, shish kebab and other mouthwatering fare made the day more delicious as savory aromas wafted throughout Snug Harbor.

Timothy, a resident of New Brighton who wished to be identified by his first name, referred to the event as “the best thing to ever happen to Staten Island.”

“What an amazing, beautiful first time ever,” he said. “Just like they have it in Manhattan and Harlem, it’s a beautiful way to bring everybody together.”