WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Indian flags waving from above, Mexican and traditional Dominican dances throughout the streets, and delicious cuisine are all part of the city's 7th Annual Multicultural Parade and Festival.
Mayor George Brown says the celebration highlights the diverse cultures that help make up the Diamond City.
"This is their day to show their history of the countries they come from and the nationalities. So we get to enjoy beautiful costumes, but also wonderful food," says Mayor Brown.
It's a way for residents to experience cultures they may not be familiar with. One of the Multicultural Parade & Festival Co-chairs says the celebration improves every year.
"And I think it's just continued to grow. We've got a lot more culture that is represented and I think it's becoming more and more accepted by the city. Very early on it was like, 'What do you mean by culture and multicultural?' People are getting to realize that we are a diverse area," says co-chair Dan Kimbrough.
Many festival-goers say they were excited to find their very own community within Wilkes-Barre.
Joseph Breeland recently moved from Allentown to the city. He says, "It makes me feel more, more welcome. Multiple cultures getting together. Instead of having war there's peace. Getting together and having a parade and talk with each other and laugh with each other that's the most beautiful thing about it."
The parade ended and the festival began on Public Square. People were treated to even more performances. The most anticipated part of the celebration for some was the food.
"From what I've heard it's just like a lot of Mexican food, and listen I'm ready to bust down to that because if it's spicy and it's delicious I'm going to eat it," says Ryan Zeng, a local college student.
Mario Orlando Velazquez has lived in Wilkes-Barre for the past 10 years. He says he makes sure to attend the parade and festival every year. "Oh, it was awesome! This one is a little bit less. I didn't see the fire trucks and the policemen and all that. It would've been great to see them too here participating, but there are other things they had," Velazquez says.
Organizers say the Multicultural Parade and Festival is always held in September to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and showcase the rich diversity in the city of Wilkes-Barre.