Fiesta Planned for July 4 Weekend

Last year, nightclub owner Edison Garcia enticed hundreds of people from around Central Jersey to a fiesta celebrating the Independence of Central America.

This year, he expects to replicate the success of the event with a fiesta celebrating this nation's Independence Day.

"Our community is getting bigger and bigger," he said. "We decided to be part of the American celebration."

A resolution granting Garcia the use of Municipal Parking Lot 8 on July 3 and 4 was introduced as a new item on May 10 and was passed without comment by the City Council. To see a slide show of last year's event, click here.

Garcia said Friday he wants people to visit Plainfield and experience the city as it is now.

"It's not like it was 20 years ago," he said.

Extensive advertising last year brought Latinos from locales including Elizabeth, New Brunswick and Bound Brook to the Queen City, he said.

"They were impressed - they were really happy."

The event last year featured a vast array of ethnic food, a mechanical bull riding contest, a beer tent, vendor stalls and music. Coming in advance of the November mayoral election, it also had some politicking. The July date is after the June primary, which has three Democrats vying for the Second and Third Ward at-large seat, so may be less of a target for candidates.

Garcia said the fiesta will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, after the traditional parade that draws a large crowd to the downtown.

Last year, Councilman William Reid asked Garcia to publicize the upcoming 2010 Census at the fiesta. The census is now in its follow-up phase, with workers going door-to-door to homes where residents did not return mailed forms in April. Publicity at the fiesta this year could help assure residents that they can safely respond.

Lot 8 is behind stores on the north side of East Front Street, between Watchung Avenue and Somerset Street. It is bordered by the Green Brook.

Plaintalker II will give more details closer to the event.

--Bernice Paglia