Bayonne parade, festival celebrates growing Hispanic community

BAYONNE -- The 13th annual Bayonne Hispanic Parade made its way down Broadway yesterday afternoon.

The parade is intended to celebrate the growing Hispanic population in the Peninsula City. The theme this year was uniting the community.

"It is our mission to increase the awareness of the Hispanic culture and unity in the hearts of our youth and our community in Bayonne," said Abett Hernandez of the Bayonne Hispanic Association. "We have to set the example for the future generation that unity is important in all cultures and not create indifferences among the communities."

This year's honorees were Yanina Sanchez, Godmother of Parade; Ney Lanez, Godfather of Parade; Dianna Lopez, Honoree from Peru; Victor Gomes, Modesto Ramirez Jr., Victor Munoz, Jeyreen Ramires Robles, Lucas Diaz, Shane Murphy, Jessica Caamano, Luis Valentin, and Geison Mojica, all police officers or detectives, Capt. Roger Nunez, Fireman of the Year; Bayonne Police Explorers, organization of the Year; and Elieric Rios, Police Explorer of the Year.

Special awards for dance were given to San Simon, Cilirio Cortez, Sergio A. Perez, Hermanos Lopez, and Latin Groove Dance Academy.

The parade went from Fifth Street to 22nd Street. A festival was held at the end of the parade.

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