Dominican Independence Day celebrated at the American Civic Association.

Binghamton residents gathered at the American Civic Association on Saturday to mark Dominican Independence Day with food, music and traditional dance, organized by Edward Marte with help from Binghamton University's Dominican Student Association and local volunteers.

Members of the Binghamton community gathered at the American Civic Association on Saturday to celebrate Dominican Independence Day. The event was organized by community leader Edward Marte and supported by local sponsors and volunteers from Binghamton University's Dominican Student Association. Guests shared home-cooked traditional meals and took part in music and dance performances. The celebration referenced the holiday's history and the carnival traditions that are part of Dominican culture. Event details: - The gathering marked Dominican Independence Day, which commemorates the 1844 coup against Haitian occupation and the role of La Trinitaria and founding fathers Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramón Matías Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. - Edward Marte organized the event and described bringing carnival traditions, music and food to Binghamton as a way to keep connections to the homeland alive. - Volunteers from Binghamton University's Dominican Student Association helped host the celebration and attendees brought shared home-cooked traditional meals. - New York City–based Ballet Folklorico de Juan Pablo Duarte performed traditional Dominican dances and encouraged audience participation. - Saima Dominguez, a Pennsylvania-based advocate for Dominican Americans, and Amelia Guzman, co-fundraiser chair for DSA, spoke about the celebration's role in strengthening identity, representation and community unity. Summary: The event brought together people of different ages and backgrounds to celebrate Dominican heritage through food, music and dance, reinforcing cultural ties for participants and the local Hispanic community. Undetermined at this time.