CLEVELAND — The Puerto Rican Parade and Expo started off the weekend of events with a vibrant cultural and music festival at MetroHealth Hospital in Cleveland.

“We love the cultural experience. We’ve been coming here fr about three years now. It’s been fun every year,” said festival attendee Emily Aquino.

Aquino said she and her friend, Jamela Alnassairy, were raised in Cleveland but still carry strong ties to the island. They joined hundreds of other Ohioans at the festival, showcasing Caribbean beats, cuisine, local artisans and community partners. Together, attendees are helping carry on the tradition of spreading cultural awareness, pride and education.

As the festival reaches its 53rd anniversary, the Cleveland Guardians are making their appearance for the fourth year in a row.

Matthew Grimes, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive for the Guardians, said its all about representation and recognizing Latinidad.

“One of our goals is to make sure that our fan base is representative of our city and our community, and what better way than to be out here to celebrate with all the Puerto Ricans and Latinos here in Cleveland,” he said.

All the while honoring Puerto Ricans’ contributions to the city over time.

“If you look at the history of Cleveland baseball, a lot of great Puerto Rican players have come through,” Grimes said. “Carlos Baerga, Hall of Famer, being one of them.”

Still, for Puerto Ricans and Non-Puerto Ricans alike, Aquino says she hopes everyone takes away one lesson.

“Just learning more about our culture and what we do, and how we really show everyone and celebrate it,” she said.

Take a look at some pictures from the event: