Sunday, September 24, 2017

The Gathering Parade 2017

Another year, another fabulous Gathering in downtown Waterbury! This annual festival celebrates the many different cultures that have found their way to the Brass City throughout its history. The event's slogan is "We all came from somewhere, now it's time to come together."

As in the past, I've divided up my photos into two blog posts: one of the parade, and one of the celebration in Library Park.

Lining up on East Main Street -- Dominican Republic



Support for Puerto Rico and Mexico, both reeling from catastrophic disasters,
was visible throughout the day.

Colombia



Police Pipes & Drums of Waterbury

Flags of Ireland and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians

Waterbury police kept everyone marching in the right direction
(and kept oblivious drivers from interrupting the parade)

The Mattatuck Drum Band is the oldest fife and drum band in the United States
with continuous membership since it was formed in 1767.


Civil War reenactors

City officials and local dignitaries

Mayor O'Leary, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, Police Chief Riddick, and local dignitaries.



Living horses gazing toward the horse fountain on the Green

Zequir "Ziggy" Berusha added Albanian flair to his regular US flag outfit




Lithuania

Police Pipes & Drums

Flags of Ireland

Flags of Ireland



Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School

Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School

UNICO and flags of Italy

UNICO and flags of Italy

Puerto Rican pride


Colombia

Colombia

Colombia

Colombia



Guyana -- parade pros, with great festive music playing

Guyana

Guyana

Guyana

Colombia finishing their loop around the Green

Colombia

Colombia

Literacy Volunteer of Greater Waterbury helps adults learn to read and write English

Ecuador brought a live band to the parade

Map of Puerto Rico carried by students from Crosby High School


Cape Verdean Social Club

Cape Verde

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

Muslim women representing multiple countries

Brazil

Brazil

Paraguay

The man with the plan: John Murray, smiling to see
his vision of The Gathering realized for the fifth year in a row.

Puerto Rico

Albania

Albania

Albania

Albania

Ecuador brought a smoking volcano


South End Cheerleaders

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico -- the kids are wearing sashes with the names of their schools

Mexico, with prayers for Mexico and Puerto Rico

Mexico

Mexico

Cape Verde, dancing all the way through downtown Waterbury

St. Lucia

Brazil


Berkeley Knights Drill Team & Drum Corps


Cape Verde reaching the end of the parade

Cape Verde, still dancing!


QUEST (Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team)

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Trinidad & Tobago, feeling the weight of the feathers in the hot sun


Brazil
Cameras everywhere: local social media has been flooded with images and videos of The Gathering

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