This weekend we celebrated National Puerto Rican Day in our own way here in the Sunshine State of Florida. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month every year, but every second Sunday in June, Puerto Ricans celebrate their cultural contributions to the United States and their residence in the mainland by marching along 5th avenue in Manhattan, New York. The very first parade was celebrated on Sunday, April 13, 1958. While we couldn't join the fun at the parade, we got together with family and celebrated Puerto Rican culture. In doing so, we all shared some information we knew about Puerto Rico and learned some things that we didn’t know. It was a fun gathering with music, dominoes, delicious food, and spending time together as family.
As a blended family, my husband Kirk is Jamaican and he came to me in a the packaged prize with his handsome son Tiki (13 years old). My package deal came with my son Richie (16) and daughter Samantha (28). My husband and I have been together for ten years so our children have grown-up together as brothers and sister. They don’t even use the word “step.” In addition to being advocates for Richie who has autism, and individuals with disabilities, we promote inclusion, and celebrate diversity. All cultures give us something special, something to draw from and enjoy. This weekend, we celebrated the culture of Puerto Rico.
No party is complete without a game of dominoes!
Of course, I had to make a Puerto Rican feast, so I made the national dish – Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas), Pernil (roast pork), Pastelón, (a lasagna type dish with sweet plantains (maduros) and ground beef seasoned to the max! I added a different dish to the menu as I had never made it before, but luckily it was a hit! I made Bacalao Guisado (Stewed Salted Cod Fish). For dessert, I made a coconut and cream cheese flan (custard), which of course was devoured – despite the fact that I made a huge one!
I also made copies of Puerto Rico facts for the family, coloring pages of the PR Flag, and a word search for the kids to complete. Everyone got their own flag too!
Here are some facts you may not know about Puerto Rico:
- Puerto Rico is home to the largest radio telescope in the world.
- According to the US Department of Labor statistics, the literacy rate in Puerto Rico is 90% better than most states.
- Puerto Rico’s chief crops are coffee, plantains, pineapples, tomatoes, sugarcane, bananas, peppers, pumpkins, lettuce, tobacco and yams.
- Throughout the year, temperatures in Puerto Rico stay between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For Puerto Ricans, it is customary to greet someone with a kiss on the cheek (whether you’re meeting them for the first time or not).
- The Miss Universe Pageant was won by five beautiful Puerto Rican contestants!
- Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States - Americans do not need a passport to visit the enchanted island.
- The legal age for alcohol consumption in Puerto Rico is 18 – don’t be surprised if your teenagers start suggesting Puerto Rico be your next family vacation destination!
- The streets of Puerto Rico are paved with blue cobblestone.
- The Bacardi Rum Factory in San Juan, Puerto Rico churns out 100,000 gallons of rum each day – making it the largest rum distillery in the world.
One of the coolest things about this gathering was being able to inspire my best friend Alona into celebrating the Ukraine's Independence day in August! We had to check dates because our home will be celebrating Jamaican Independence day in August too! We have the 4th of July to look forward to as well. Celebrating our diversity, heritage and culture is a beautiful thing. I hope this post inspires you to do the same thing. Because each of our nations are one land with many voices. Let's continue to share with, learn about, and befriend one another.
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