Newark Pays Tribute to Roberto Clemente This Weekend

Roberto Clemente, the major league baseball slugger best known for his philanthropic efforts, will be honored by his namesake school in Newark starting Friday and capping with a special statue unveiling ceremony Sunday.

A host of activities, including dancing, an all-star baseball game and parade, are planned for this weekend to celebrate Clemente, killed in 1972 in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

"We talked about the monument for many years and we are proud to finally honor this humble man the way he deserves," said Luis Lopez, chairperson of the Roberto Clemente Statue Committee.

In honor of the Puerto Rican-born ball player, who spent 18 seasons on the Pittsburgh Pirates, students from Roberto Clemente School partook in random acts of kindness, collected pennies and donated food to less fortunate families. Students helped raise part of the $130,000 needed for the statue that will be unveiled Sunday in Branch Brook Park. More than 2,000 people are expected to march in a parade from Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway to the statue's site near Lake Street.

See below for a list of this weekend's activities:

• Friday, June 1: Vera Clemente, widow of Roberto Clemente, and her youngest son Luis will join students for a morning of activities at the school at 9 a.m. After an all-school assembly, the Clemente family will visit classrooms and meet with students and teachers.

• Friday evening: A “Kick-Off Dance” will be held at the El Flamboyan Manor, 147 Verona Ave. in Newark. Students from First Avenue School, Park School, Ridge Street School, Roberto Clemente School, Luis Munoz Marin School and Elliott Street School will be honored for their hard work and contributions towards the monument fundraising. The Clemente family will also be present at that event. 

• Saturday, June 2: There will be an All-Star Baseball Game at the Roberto Clemente Field, Lake Street in Newark, beginning at 2 p.m.

• Sunday, June 3: Newark students along with Superintendent Cami Anderson and local dignitaries will march in a parade from Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway to the statue site in Branch Brook Park on Lake Street at noon. An unveiling of the statue will be held immediately after the parade.

Check back on Patch Monday for more on the parade and statue unveiling.

– Staff reports