The 15th annual Dominican Parade and Festival of Brooklyn took to the Williamsburg streets Aug. 30 to display cultural pride in a colorful, musical and respectful way. Marchers representing religious, cultural and political organizations displayed their Dominican pride before spectators who huddled in shaded areas seeking protection from the hot August sun. After the parade, marchers enjoyed themselves at an outdoor festival, complete with food, games and bounce houses for the children.
Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros served as the Padrino Eclesiastico (ecclesiastic godfather) for the parade. He accompanied hundreds of Dominicans on the mile-long trek in 90-degree weather donning a wide smile to the end. (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
Women from Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary parish, Williamsburg, marched at the head of the parade. (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
The women, dressed in white, brought along their rosaries and were accompanied by Franciscan Friars and a large image of the Madonna. (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
Catholics make up the majority of the population in the Dominican Republic. The nation’s flag features both a cross and a Bible. (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
The women marched behind police officers who served as escorts and crowd control, (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
and who came to the parade armed with drums and musical instruments to show solidarity with the Dominican people (Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)
(Photo by Antonina Zielinska, The Tablet)