Annual Trenton Costa Rican celebration cloaked in secrecy amid fear of feds [L.A. PARKER COLUMN]

Under a matrix of pennants and strands of string that formed a canopy above a Costa Rican outdoor celebration, just as stars shimmered in mid-September skies, fear lurked in the gloaming.

Dancers, dressed in Costa Rica colors of red, white, and blue, twirled during an annual celebration named Noche de los Faroles or Night of the Lanterns when Ticos, along with other nations of Central America, rejoice an 1821 independence from Spain.

Locally, in the past, Trenton-area Costa Ricans enjoyed celebration in Unity Park then after city officials demanded significant payment for use, moved to a Lawrence Township site.

“This beloved tradition goes beyond mere celebration; it’s an expression of Costa Rican identity and the passing down of values from one generation to the next. The lantern parade encourages civic pride, creativity, and reflection on the meaning of independence—not just as a historical event, but as a living, shared experience,” explained Max Siles, a key organizer for the event.

“The 204th anniversary carried special significance, reinforcing the importance of unity in challenging times and showcasing the strength of cultural traditions. With every glowing lantern lighting up the night sky, Costa Ricans honored not only their past, but also their hope for a bright and harmonious future.”

(Insert fear here)

A recent celebration occurred in virtual secrecy as Costa Ricans, some of them or their friends and family living in the U.S. without proper documentation aka illegally, were afraid Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) might raid the event.

Instead of risking safety and well-constructed lives built with hard work and deserving of pathways to citizenship, Costa Ricans had their party out in the boondocks. Imagine, a celebration of freedom wrapped in fear.

Getting there required many twists and turns on unfamiliar roadways draped by darkness. Being there, produced intrigue and disappointment, and an understanding that many people live in shadowed fear as the ICE men cometh. Laura Mora, a Costa Rica émigré, offered this overview of recent history pertaining to the Noche de Los Faroles.

“We currently have a support group of Costa Ricans who have managed to keep this tradition alive, but unfortunately we had to leave Trenton for the high cost of investing in a park. In 2023 and 2024, the lantern festival was held in another city of Mercer County and this year for the circumstances of immigration we carried out a symbolic event in a private property. Invitations were only by mouth, no social media.

“There was a lot of joy on the part of the innocent children, but in the adults there was some sadness to have to perform the event practically hidden to “protect” our people. I imagine that many immigrants decades ago perhaps celebrated (similarly).”(Sadly, this falls far from freedom).

Eating tres leches while looking over shoulders for ICE agents diminishes the joy of devouring the popular dessert. Freedom should unfurl unabashedly, flow like the dresses of Costa Rican dancers. Instead, some dancers as well as many Costa Ricans who celebrate their nation’s day of independence, stayed home.

Dancers have decided not to perform in the Hispanic Day Parade in New York City on the second Sunday of October. The parade on Fifth Ave. showcases Hispanic culture from various countries and features music, traditional costumes, and dance. It’s a no-go.

Fear moves people into the margins of society, creating petrification and ICE-phobia. Days rarely pass in Trenton without someone sounding alarms about ICE on Lamberton St., in Chambersburg, eating hamburgers at a local fast food restaurant.

While confirmations of physical arrests made by ICE cause increased fear, whispered rumors and bogeymen sightings achieve similar results — Be afraid, be very afraid.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].