Cidra to name streets after prominent figures in marking 217th anniversary.

By THE STAR STAFF

Presenter Alexandra Fuentes; former leader and emblematic figure of Puerto Rican basketball, Flor Meléndez; sacred music singers Lourdes Toledo and Samuel Hernández; and actor Willie Denton will each have a street named after them in Cidra as part of the celebration of the 217th anniversary of the founding of the municipality, Mayor Delvis J. Pagán Clavijo announced Wednesday.

“This will be a town celebration for Cidra’s 217th anniversary, and within that framework, we will pay tribute to these figures who were born or raised here and who represent the best of our people,” the mayor said. “They are Cidra natives who have left a legacy in communication, sports, music, and the arts, and of whom our town is proud for their achievements and for how they have carried the name of Cidra far and wide.”

The event will take place this Sunday starting at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of City Hall. The festivities will include a town fair with artisans, food vendors and performances by local talent. There will also be artistic presentations by the student band from Jesús T. Piñero School, as well as Ivano Banda, Diva Acústica and Bravitos de la Plena. Admission is free.

“We invite all residents of Cidra and visitors to join us in celebrating,” Pagán Clavijo added.

Cidra, in the island’s central mountain region, was founded in 1809 and is known as the Town of Eternal Spring for its cool climate. It is also called the Town of the Plain Dove because of the abundance of this species, the only dove on the island with blue eyes.