- The Allentown Dominican Festival brought hundreds to the city Sunday
- This was the sixth year for the festival, held at Seventh and Hamilton streets
- More than 20,000 people of Dominican descent live in the city
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The city's Dominican Festival drew hundreds Sunday to celebrate the Caribbean nation’s culture and the Lehigh Valley's Dominican community.
The 2023 Dominican Festival marked its sixth year, and its second between Seventh and Hamilton streets in the heart of Allentown, wrapped around the Lehigh County Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Compared to last year, this year’s festival occupied a slightly larger footprint, according to Mayor Matt Tuerk.
Empanadas, carne fritas, tostones, maduros and other Dominican specialties perfumed the air for several blocks, mostly sold from long lines of plates doled out by tent-stand vendors. Other vendors sold flag-emblazoned shirts, hats, bags and more.
“It feels really good to have your town support your culture.”Richy Bermudez, Allentown resident
Musicians and DJs performed at the festival’s two stages. Later Sunday night, the main stage was to host headline performances by bachata singer Optimo, merengue artist Silvio Mora and rapper Vakeró.
“It’s awesome because we can teach this to our kids,” said Mariely Mata, who lives in Allentown. “They are born here, so knowing a little bit of food, culture, music is amazing.”
“It feels really good to have your town support your culture,” said Richy Bermudez, from Allentown.
“It’s a joy, enjoying all the culture of where we come from, the music that we use in the DR,” said Damaso Sierra, who lives in Kensington.
Allentown City Council Vice President Cynthia Mota said earlier this year that more than 20,000 Dominicans like herself call the city home. More than half of the city’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino more broadly, according to the 2020 census.
In January, Allentown established a sister city relationship with the Dominican city of Santo Domingo Este, emphasizing ties with the Dominican Republic and its culture.
Last September, Mota, Tuerk and other city leaders traveled to the Dominican Republic to build stronger ties with the island nation.
Staff writers Micaela Hood and Jay Bradley contributed to this report.
