Considering the extent and the diverse population of our city, Lawrence can become a Mecca of the State of Massachusetts for cultural festivals.
Starting with the Saint Patrick’s Parade, which threatened to become extinct but has been reborn with more vigor and enthusiasm this year, thanks to the administration of Mayor Daniel Rivera, who promised as part of his campaign and has been personally promoting through different media to continue Marie Gosselin’s 15 years tradition.
Mayor Rivera is also committed to supporting festivals such as The Feast of the Three Saints, the oldest of all celebrating this year its 91 years. Hispanic Week, which marks the beginning of summer and since 1979 has been promoting the richness of the Hispanic culture and Bread & Roses Festival, which for 30 years has recollected the labor struggles of the last two centuries. Let’s not forget Saint Anthony’s Mahrajan that began in Salem, then moved to Methuen and now, after 10 years in Lawrence seems to have finally found their home here.
It remains in our memory the success of the First Dominican Parade and Festival held in Lawrence in August 2000 and how with the passing of the years, like the Puerto Rican Festival, for lack of popular support was forgotten.
We must recognize that organizing and carrying out these festivals is not easy. Everything is done by the work and effort of a group of volunteers who work all year to produce such a beautiful display of food, music and culture only to see with sadness that the community is not responding.
Two successful examples are The International Book Fair and Raíces (Roots). The International Book Fair held its eighth edition and it is organized by a group of literature enthusiasts under the direction of Father Joel Almonó. Raíces had its fourth installment last year and it is headed through the efforts of the Pro-Culture Movement under the direction of Jose and Maria Figuereo, of Lawrence.
We are a community of immigrants, with an extraordinary cultural richness. The revival of the St. Patrick’s Parade could be a harbinger of a new beginning for the city. Together, we can create an industry around Lawrence Festivals.
