The parade is on Fifth Avenue, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be craziness here in Bushwick. More and more cars are covered in Puerto Rican flags, more and more windows sport banners unfurled, more and more people wear flag t-shirts. I have heard bad things from long-time residents; I don’t know what to expect. You can lock the doors, close the blinds, and stay inside. Or, my favorite idea, dress like a jíbaro and join in the festivities. Either way, I don’t care, I’ll be away for the weekend.
Ricky Martin will be the King of the parade, and even he’s warning he doesn’t want it to get out of hand. (The quote about an “enthusiastic town” seems like a poor translation — he likely said “an enthusiastic people” but I can’t find the original Spanish letter anywhere).
One burning question: How many of the revelers have ever been to Puerto Rico — where they don’t celebrate the parade?
Matt June 8th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Big ol revelry. I recall a neverending blaring of horns from what sounded like Myrtle. Maybe broadway? Just far enough away to not make you insane but wow. If you lived right there?
z. June 8th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Hmmm… I don’t know what it’s like further into Bushwick, but where I live, you can feel the energy & it’s great. Everyone’s wearing the flag…. When people drive around & see another car w/ a PR flag, they honk & wave at each other. It just feels like a big party.
dana June 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
in the evening many of the side streets get blocked off around myrtle and it can be hard to drive around.
Information Basement › Nuyoricans say hey! June 8th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
[...] http://bushwickbk.com/archives/64 [...]
Mary June 8th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
It’s going to be crazy. Your calls to the police about noise complaints will continue to be ignored. Hold on tight kids.
bushwickgirl June 8th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
The noise and craziness was so bad last year over here on Wyckoff Ave. that we have decided to get the hell out of town. I like parades and all, but this gets out of hand and the noise lasts ALL Day and night.
Mary June 8th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Bushwickgirl:
I know what you mean. I thought Wyckoff Ave. was suppose to be the calm, civilized part of the neighborhood. The craziness is suppose to be closer to Broadway, not Ridgewood.
I’m still undecided what I will do that day. I’d like to do gardening, and yardwork, but I’m thinking of getting out of town too.
addie June 9th, 2007 at 1:26 am
ay dios mio.
in recent yrs, it hasn’t been as crazy and loud as it was before. stay inside or go somewhere nice for the weekend, if your not a big fan of honking horn and hearing “boricua” all sunday long.
as for me…im actually going to the parade. mhm..
incredulous June 9th, 2007 at 7:53 am
wait a minute, so you mean puertoricans actually need a particular day devoted to being obnoxious, aggressive and tacky? is it not then puerto rico day everyday of the year??
anonymous June 10th, 2007 at 9:06 am
the parties already started yesterday. and today they’ll probably go to the parade and who knows celebrate again?
MC June 10th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
you folks needs to get over yourselves…
the day and night here in BK went down just fine
i heard just as much noise here during the world cup or when the yankees win the world series… big friggin deal
snapped a few pics and as you can see .. everyone biking/walking around was just having a good time and not causing any problems
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1225/539608445_c810dce3b7.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/539608405_e69163501b.jpg
Jeremy June 11th, 2007 at 10:04 am
We got home at 7 or so last night, and aside from the obnoxious flag-wavers on the subway, and a few honking horns and whistles, the only thing that different in Bushwick was the smell of lighter fluid and charcoal. Rather tame near me.
Gothamist commenters in the City were not amused, however.
http://gothamist.com/2007/06/11/thousands_come.php
LolainBushwick June 11th, 2007 at 11:10 am
You Naysayers are all jealous of us Puerto Ricans. We have flavor, great music and we have the best looking people of any race. We are able to adapt to any culture and race. We are survivors and have innate skills that allows us to excel in anything we do. If you are truly educated you wouldn’t take us for granted as we are a great market, and when unified we can bring down any political house. Yes folks, we are that powerful!
Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate gentrification as long as people tolerate and appreciate each others differences. For those who don’t like our culture maybe you should consider moving because we are not going anywhere.
We are EVERYWHERE!
Mary June 11th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Does anyone know about the shooting, and murder of someone on Wyckoff Avenue? It was a 20 year old kid! I guess Bushwickgirl was right about Wyckoff Avenue!
Jeremy June 11th, 2007 at 11:48 am
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102007/news/nypdblotter/nypdblotter.htm
He was 26. And it was St. Nicholas Av.
Mary June 11th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
That’s sad. Was this the only fatality in connection with the parade?
Jeremy June 11th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
It happened at 5am before the parade — I don’t see any connection, and the article doesn’t make any, either.
brad June 11th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
The two Puerto Rican Days I’ve experienced in Bushwick have been the mellowest I’ve known in NYC. First three years here I was half a block from Central Park, so maybe I’m desensitized, but it was louder n rowdier on the LES, too.
I’m on Bushwick across from Da Houses and had no problem going about my normal doings.
david June 11th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Brad thats where I live also….directly across the street.
Mary June 12th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
could it be gang related?
Jeremy June 12th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Pretty much every street shooting these days is gang related. Which is why murder statistics are almost totally useless as a gauge of whether or not a place is ok to live.
bushwickgirl June 14th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Just catching up on my reading and seeing how you all did during the parade and saw the posting from Mary about the shooting on Willoughby and St. Nicholas. That’s the kind of news I don’t like to hear. Since I’ve lived here the past year I’ve noticed the cops on several times speeding down to the area of Sudyam or Willoughby by St. Nicholas. It’s scary and sad to hear of this murder. But good to hear the news on the site….thanks for the info.
CARAMELO August 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Puerto Rican Day Parade in Bushwick/Williamsburg over the past years has been calm, off course with the exception of the honking horns and signs of patriotism (WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPA!!Boricua)..Believe me I have seen worse in the past when Graham Avenue was jammed with traffic and no place to go.. Cars were going on the sidewalks..It got bad enough that cops in riot gear were called in to disperse the crowd and control traffic..I am talking about 7-8 years ago..Things have changed since..Don’t get me wrong..I am Puerto Rican and proud and believe in orderly celebration…