Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Weekend Parade Celebrates Ecuadorian Community

It was an honor to be a grand marshal at the Ecuadorian Parade this weekend. The parade was part of the Fiestas Patrias Ecuatorianas week, where the Ecuadorian community celebrates and commemorates their independence from Spanish rule. The City Council and I recognized elected Ecuadorian officials, event organizers and prominent members of the Ecuadorian community on Friday at Council. That served as a nice prelude for their most important event: Sunday’s parade! It was a typical hot Southern California day. I attended the parade with my wife, Richelle, and three kids. Fellow colleague, Councilmember Bernard Parks and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also attended. The parade was followed by a day of Ecuadorian music, food and celebration at the Fletcher Bowron.