Warming up the Holidays with IBA’s Tree Lighting
Every year our community gathers around Plaza Betances for our Tree Lighting and comes together to enjoy traditional Puerto Rican parrandas, a staple of the holidays, light a beautiful big tree, and of course Santa is always invited and comes with presents for the little ones.
This time the celebration took place on Wednesday, December 9th but, before the tree lighting even began, the resident band -- led by Doña Maria Flores an exceptional singer and beloved member of our Villa -- was already playing at the plaza while children from the Afterschool and Summer Learning program took a special field trip to look at the ornaments they had made to hang on our tree.
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Doña María Flores singing with the rest of Villa Victoria's resident band at the Tree Lighting.[/caption]
After, the band went around bringing their music to the whole neighborhood, they sang home to home, knocking on doors and putting a smile on everyone’s face as they joined in and sang along.
The last stop was Plaza Betances just in time to formally begin the celebration. In anticipation for the mayor one of the parranda singers said, “When the mayor comes we have to really sing, let’s show him this is a party!” Our residents sang and danced with Mayor Marty Walsh, Rep. Byron Rushing, and Felix Arroyo, the city’s Chief of Health and Human Services, who was born in our community of Villa Victoria.
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The band poses with Mayor Walsh, and IBA CEO, Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado.[/caption]
Walsh, joined in when he was offered a maraca and participated in all the festivities, then led the count down along with Santa while the children waited anxiously for the tree lighting. The decorated windows from the buildings surrounding the plaza made the perfect backdrop for the shining tree in the center, everyone could see that the whole community had come together to share this special moment.
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Mayor Walsh, Santa, and Villa Victoria children count down seconds before the tree is lit.[/caption]
After the tree was lit, residents went inside Villa Victoria Center for the Arts for a delicious holiday dinner courtesy of Maloney Properties. The band took the stage, filling the room with the spirit of Navidad and bringing back memories from holidays in the homeland with dishes such as arroz con gandules, pork, and flan catered by Vegigantes and Merengue, two Villa Victoria favorites.
The hall was completely filled with joyful residents; everyone left ready to spread the warmth of the season all through the month of December. Thank you to all those who came and joined us in holiday cheer.
From all of us at IBA, we wish you a wonderful holiday with your loved ones....