Washington Heights grooved today as the NYC Salsa Fest lit Fort Tryon Park. Over 7,000 danced to live bands—Eddie Palmieri headlined; 70°F night pulsed. Free lessons drew 600—kids to seniors spun; X clips hit 9,000. Food stalls slung $8 mofongo—500 plates sold. NYC’s Latin soul—Uptown shines.
Organizer Rosa Diaz, 52, booked 12 bands—4 from the Bronx. Palmieri’s ‘Vámonos Pa’l Monte’—crowd sang loud; 8 p.m. roared. A dance-off crowned a Harlem couple—$500 prize sparked cheers. New LED lights lit paths—eco-glow worked. Salsa’s roots—NYC’s heartbeat.
It’s not perfect—sound cut out once; tech fumbled. Food lines hit 30 minutes—hungry dancers griped. Still, 7K fans, 6 hours—fest’s a hit. Post-show, Dyckman Street buzzed—party rolled on. Annual rite—NYC moves.
Diaz’s 52—cultural queen? Winners’ 30s—dance stars. Uptown swayed; NYC glowed. Salsa Fest—spin on.
