Hundreds of Colombians gathered in New York on Sunday, as the “Big Apple” played host to a festival celebrating Colombia’s 203rd independence day, officially celebrated on Saturday.
According to newspaper El Tiempo, approximately 20,000 spectators descended into Eisenhower Park, Long Island, for the Colombian pride festival. However, photos and videos of the festival showed this figure was grossly exaggerated.
Citizens of numerous nationalities danced for hours, as traditional Colombian music lit up the park.
Each artist was introduced on stage by actress Margarita Ortega who at the beginning of each act would appear in a traditional costume from a particular region of the country. Tributes were paid to the music styles of Sanjuanero, Cumbia, and Guacherna, among many others.
The festival was an opportunity to enjoy a variety of dishes, such as roasts of meat, meat pies, and traditional rice mixes from different regions.
The event was brought to a close by the classic salsa group Niche. A finale that, according to El Tiempo, left fans wanting for more.