LAWRENCE — Christine Quimby, 29, stood under the lights on Campagnone Common last night with the flag of Puerto Rico draped over her shoulders.
The Methuen woman, born to a Puerto Rican father and American mother, was among hundreds of revelers enjoying the final moments of Hispanic Week 2008.
"I've been coming here for the past 15 years," said Quimby, a mother of two girls, Hilary, 10, and Tiffany, 9. "It makes me think of Puerto Rico."
Sheets of rain couldn't keep folks away as the popular Hispanic festival in downtown Lawrence came to a close late last night. The evening culminated a week of cultural celebrations, including Ecuadorian, Columbian, Mexican, Salvadoran, Dominican and Puerto Rican nights.
A carnival, with an array of games and food, opened Friday on the common. And yesterday, a parade stepped off at Central Catholic High School, continuing on Marion Avenue and ending back at the common. Grand marshals were Pat Costa, chief executive officer of Costa Eagle Radio, and Gladys Mencia, manager of the Sovereign Bank branch on Broadway.
A record crowd showed up for the parade yesterday and no problems were reported, said Jay Jackson, Lawrence auxiliary police chief.
Floats represented Latin American countries including El Salvador, Ecuador, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Sports groups that marched included the Roberto Clemente Little League and Salas-Shotokan-Karate School.
The Girls Center at YWCA of Lawrence, Batuteras Internacionales (International baton twirlers), Lawtown Ryders bike group, Merrimack Valley People for Peace and Northern Essex Community College faculty also participated in the parade.
Last night, people both big and small flocked to the common, carrying flags, pushing carriages and meeting up with friends. They enjoyed a variety of food, including virgin pina coladas, chicken dishes, fried dough, caramel apples and cotton candy.
Quimby stood on the common, watching as her daughter circled high above her on a carnival ride. She suddenly realized that she had spent the past seven hours at the festival.
"I just love the music," Quimby said.
She encourages everyone to visit the festival next year.
"You'll have fun and you'll learn all about the different cultures," she said.
