VT Columnist Kayla Tejero Sings the National Anthem at the Aurora Puerto Rican Festival

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Aurora Puerto Rican Festival. Organized by the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council (APRCC), the Festival is the biggest celebration in Chicago. There will be a fl ag-raising ceremony at the Aurora Plaza on July 23, 2022 at 10:00AM. The Festival will be held on July 31, 2022 at 1:00PM at the Water Street Square in Downtown Aurora. Activities will center on this year’s theme of “Celebrating 50 years of Puerto Rican heritage in Auroa.”

Via Times columnist-writer and emerging FilAm singer will open the activities by singing the US national anthem at the Festival. This is very historical and a “deja vu” for Kayla as she won her fi rst talent competition at the same Puerto Rican Festival 20 years ago. Kayla was only 12 years old then.

One of the Festival organizers, Myrna Rivera said to her invitation to Kayla “ This year, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, we would love if you would sing the National Anthem.’

APRCC is a grassroot non-profi t organization, with a mission to encourage and promote Puerto Rican heritage through cultural, ethnic and civic activities designed to educate the community about Puerro Rican heritage.

VT Columnist/Singer Kayla Tejero a er winning her  rst singing competition at age 12 at the Puerto Rican Festival in 2012. Photo with Myrna Rivera, Festival organizer.