by Mary Rupert
The Central Avenue parade and festival Saturday will be a way to promote community pride, said Edgar Galicia, executive director of the Central Avenue Betterment Association.
“We’re very happy to celebrate the pride of all the ethnic groups that have shaped Wyandotte through the times,” Galicia said.
About 4,000 to 5,000 spectators and visitors are expected along the parade route and at Bethany Park, he said.
The annual parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at 18th and Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, and the parade route continues to 11th and Central, where a five-hour festival will take place afterward in Bethany Park.
Galicia said community pride is very important – by being proud of their community, members and residents of Kansas City, Kansas, will invest into the community themselves.
“That is the main purpose, to feel good about being a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, and knowing you can feel proud,” Galicia said. “We are a good community, a proud community and a constructive community that is striving to stay alive and to grow.”
Galicia said so far, there are 52 floats in the Central Avenue parade, and four high school bands – from Schlagle, Sumner Academy, Wyandotte and Harmon.
After the parade, the bands will participate in a “showdown” performance at Bethany Park, he said, where they will perform for about 45 minutes.
This year, for the first time, Sporting Kansas City will participate in the Central Avenue parade, Galicia said. He said he is very happy they are engaging with the community. There will be more youth programming offered on the futsal courts at Bethany Park and later, at other parks in the community, he said.
Also participating in the parade are schools, organizations, businesses and radio stations, he said. Several candidates for office will be in the parade as well.
Galicia said the festival has grown this year from one to two hours of entertainment at Bethany Park to five hours of entertainment.
There is a little construction currently at 18th and Central Avenue, he added.
“We’re very thankful to the UG planning department, they are making sure construction is not interfering in our parade trajectory,” he said.
He also thanked the Board of Public Utilities, and the UG Parks and Recreation Department. The parks are in a good condition and ready for visitors to enjoy, he said.
He also expressed appreciation to businesses on Central Avenue that have been very supportive, with some investing to sponsor different events. He thanked sponsors including Amerigroup Real Solutions, the UG Parks and Recreation Department, La Mega radio station, 2 mas 2 KC, Vebe Productions, On Demand Employment Services, and Spanish Gardens.
From 20 to 25 vendors will be at Bethany Park, he said, and at least half are food vendors who will have refreshments for sale. Many food vendors have been working very hard through the year at the La Placita at Bethany Park, starting in May, he said. This Saturday will be the last day this season for the La Placita.
Galicia said he’s looking forward to the nice weather expected for the parade on Saturday.
At the La Placita Festival at Bethany Park:
– As high school bands are expected to start arriving at Bethany Park at 11th and Central around 11:30 a.m., the musical showdown at the park will begin, and is scheduled to be completed around 12:15 p.m.
– Performing at noon until 12:30 p.m. on the main stage at the park will be Rosemary’s Fiesta Mexicana, performing to Mexican folk music.
– At 1 p.m., the Calle Vida Band with Pablo Sanhueza will perform salsa, Latin rhythms, cumbia, and bachata.
– At 3:30 p.m., the J-Love Band will perform funk, soul, rhythm and blues and jazz.
Galicia said the performances will be at the main stage, with a second stage broadcasting the parade live. Those who are not in the community also may see the events on CABA’s Facebook page, he added.