The 58th V.I. Puerto Rican Friendship Village gathered crowds of people at the David Canegata Ballpark over the weekend. Families, vendors, and excited children waiting in long lines to get on rides and food enjoyed a weekend packed with festivities.
This year’s VIPR Village honored Joseph “Joe” Olmeda and was celebrated Friday on the opening night of the village. Gov. Albert Bryan, who was at the opening night, said, “If there is reincarnation I want to come back as a Virgin Islander, but if I can’t come back as a Virgin Islander, I want to be a Trini or a Puerto Rican.”
“Joe embodies born Boriqua. The one thing I love about Puerto Ricans is they do it with passion,” said Bryan
Events that occurred during the village included a softball tournament, arroz con pollo competition, and a domino tournament. Live performances included Gran Apertua, La Clava Con Swing, Oscarito El Mas Loco, La Nueva Banda, Moncho Rivera y Su Orquesta, Grupo Pimpirengue, Grupo Xencima and other local band performances by Dem Dudes, Toasty featuring ISB and more.
