Panamanians Make Some Noise in Brooklyn

Bugle Section Blaring Away

On a sun filled Saturday in early October, the streets of Franklin Ave. in Brooklyn were converged on by thousands of Panamanians to celebrate their independence from Colombia and to display their culture, heritage, and some delicious food at the after party street fair on Classon Ave. Many ladies, young and old, wore their traditional polleras, a long decorative dress used in formal occasions while the men wore their straw hats and guayabera shirts. Panamanians love their marching bands and with good reason as they are one of the best in the city. This year the crowd was treated to a swinging folkloric band that improvised a song when an NYFD truck blared its horn. The lyrics changed quickly to someone called the firemen to bring the water because the parade is on fire. The crowd just ate it up.

Traditional Pollera

Band Member from Panama

Band from Maryland

The crowd was treated to some very special visitors from Panama. Each year a different town in Panama is asked to send their representatives and their marching bands to perform at the parade. This year an impressive group from Santiago de Veraguas made an appearance. High school students from San Vincente de Paul in their sharp looking uniforms set the tone for a day filled with lively bands and a celebration of Panamanian culture. One of the best High School bands to perform from Panama was from Las Tablas when the marching band from Manuel Maria Tejada Roca tore it up with their well choreographed dancers and impressive white clad musicians. They can compete against anybody. There were local community groups and businesses owned by Panamanians represented in the parade. One of note was the famous Kelso restaurant float that was handing out samples of their delicious seasoning to spice up your next meat dish. As always, closing out the parade was the host marching band in their snazzy all white uniforms. The 1st Panamanian Drum and Bugle Marching Band played their hearts out to the crowd. They held nothing back as they marched down the parade route to the reviewing stand and onto Classon Ave. where the fun and celebration kept going until sunset. Now that’s how to have a party. Que Viva Panama.