Hispanic Art exhibit at the Brevard Museum of Art and Science



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Festivities to mark Puerto Rican Day

By Marilyn Meyer
Florida Today

Hispanic Artists exhibit at the Brevard Museum of Art and Science Locals with ties to the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico plan to celebrate Puerto Rican Day this weekend with events aimed at attracting friends and neighbors of all backgrounds.

Activities include a parade and festival in Palm Bay, an art exhibit at the Brevard Museum of Art and Science in Melbourne, a dinner and dance in Indialantic and an open house at the Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne.

This is the seventh year for the festivities, all which are sponsored by United Third Bridge Educational and Cultural Fund.

The biggest draw each year is the Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival, said Sam López, president of United Third Bridge. Thousands typically line the parade route, which starts at Troutman and Port Malabar boulevards and head east on Port Malabar to Veterans Park in Palm Bay.

Both the parade and festival start at 2p.m. Sunday, November 9, with the festival activities going into full swing after the parade ends, said Teresa López, board president of the Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Balm Bay High Marching Band, the Westside Jammers drum corps from Westside Elementary, the Bayside High Jazz Band, and the Palm Bay High Latin Connection dance group will be marching, along with musical groups Fifth Avenue, Second Chance and 180, she said.

"Florida Air Academy is coming full-blast with their marching band and a display of all the Hispanic flags," she said.

Gabrielle Sellas, who was crowned Miss Puerto Rico during the Salsa Festival in August, will preside as parade queen, Sellas, of Palm Bay, attends the University of Central Florida.

Puerto Rican astronaut applicant,Felix Soto-Toro, will be a parade grand marshal, along with astronaut applicant Henry Bursian-Berrios, and Nanfa Segarra, who was the first Hispanic deputy Mayor of New York City.