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Indigenous Colombian music filled 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights on Saturday as the net piled up for a multicultural birthday party for Colombia’s Independence Day.
“Long live Colombia,” said Edgar Rubiano of Bogota, Colombia.
Rubiano has lived in Jackson Heights for thirteen years and has not yet been able to participate in the day’s festivities.
“I like to celebrate my independence from my country,” he said. “We can share our belongings, our food, our customs. All are welcome.
The Colombian Festival was organized through state Senator Jessica Ramos. He said the domain is known as “Little Colombia” as Jackson Heights has the largest Colombian population in the city.
“I hope everyone knows a little more about Colombian culture, just as I love finding so many cultures that are represented right here in the most varied district in the entire country,” Ramos said.
The birthday party also included a fitness and wellness fair. Participants marched from streets 79 to 82 to tents like Scout Troop 201, which registered others for blood donations. Other providers have distributed COVID-19 tests at home and conducted on-site fitness checks.
There were also many activities for the younger ones.
“We can make bracelets, watch dances and a lot of cool things,” said Dipika Basnet, 10.
Camila Soto, 11, and the mariachi organization Alma also toasted to share some of the Mexican culture with the neighbors.
“I like to see other people laugh and make other people smile when they see me sing,” Soto said.
With such music, many neighbors went out to the street to dance.
“I turned the corner and the music brought me here,” said Ligia Penagoa, a Jackson Heights resident.
“Happy, everyone turns out to be happy,” added Barbie Anne, a Jackson Heights resident for 60 years.