As Felipe Pena, father of Tampa Bay Rays star Carlos Pena, hoisted the flag of the Dominican Republic in front of City Hall, his second home — Haverhill — felt a little like the one where he grew up. Surrounded by others who have come to the United States from the Caribbean nation, he celebrated Dominican Independence Day a couple of days before the official observance of Feb. 27.
About 80 people showed up at City Hall on Thursday morning, Feb. 25, despite the misty weather outside. With Dominican flags in hand, they saluted their native country. Together, they sang the Dominican National Anthem.
"It was a very large celebration," said Mayor James Fiorentini. "We have had cultural celebrations at City Hall before, but this was our largest so far. I'm thrilled to have everyone here. It's a terrific event."
The city has celebrated Lebanese Independence Day in November, Lithuanian Independence Day in February, St. Patrick's Day and Greek Independence Day in March, Polish Constitution Day in May, and Columbus Day in October.
Dominico Cabral, consul general from the Dominican Republic, who came up from Boston Thursday morning to take part. Cabral was presented a proclamation from the mayor, declaring Feb. 27 Dominican Independence Day in the city.
"You could feel the celebration," Cabral said. "Everyone can celebrate in the same way they could in the Dominican."
Dominican Republic Independence Day honors the country's declaration of independence from Haiti on Feb. 27, 1844 and the three Founding Fathers who made it possible: Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramón Matías Mella and Francisco del Rosario S�°nchez. Duarte founded a secret society called La Trinitaria and on Feb. 27, the Trinitarios declared their independence. Today, statues of the founders of the republic can be found throughout the country, and on Independence Day they often become the center of celebrations in small towns and big cities.
A monthlong celebration of independence begins in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 26, the day of Duarte's birth in 1813 and concludes on Feb. 27, when the entire country and Dominicans across the globe partake in the revelry. The day is a national holiday in the Dominican Republic, much like Fourth of the July in the United States.
"We want to pay tribute to our war heroes," Pena said, "to the fathers of our nationality."
For Pena, the celebration in Haverhill was a great way to honor his heritage in his new land.
"It is great how people celebrate their original roots," he said. "Whatever the country people emigrate from, it is still behind everything you do. You're always thinking back to your country."
Pena was thrilled that so many people took the time to share his love for the Dominican.
"So many people wanted to show their pride," he said. "Even though it's a work day, many people made the effort because they love their country."
Although Pena and many of the attendees wish they could be in the Dominican Republic for the annual Independence Day celebration, taking time to recognize the event in the United States with people who shared the same proud heritage was a good alternative.
"Everybody has relatives still there, and you wish you could be back in the country to celebrate. But was a very nice day and it was thoughtful of Mayor Fiorentini to put together this celebration."
