The South Valley is part of the Duke City, but it can feel like a small town sometimes. There are families that go back generations and a sense that most everyone knows most everyone else. The annual South Valley Pride Parade on Sunday was a sincere expression of the deep love and connection that the people who live there have with their community. Lawrence Padilla, a lifelong resident, concedes that the valley has changed, but its soul is still intact. “It’s a whole lot different. It was a lot easier back then when you were younger,” Padilla said. “Now it’s a little difficult, but people need to see the light and get together and stop fussing and fighting, and enjoy life.” So what is it that makes the South Valley special? “It’s the people,” he said. “The people that were raised here. The people that were brought up here. They were all a family. We’re a straight up family, and that’s what everybody needs to see, that we’re a family.” With his granddaughter in his arms, Padilla said one of the best parts of South Valley Pride Day is connecting with old friends.”I like coming out here,” Padilla said. “I haven’t seen people in a long time. I get to see them — people I’ve gone to school with, people that are just business people, you know. You get to see the community members you grew up with.”
The South Valley is part of the Duke City, but it can feel like a small town sometimes.
There are families that go back generations and a sense that most everyone knows most everyone else. The annual South Valley Pride Parade on Sunday was a sincere expression of the deep love and connection that the people who live there have with their community.
Lawrence Padilla, a lifelong resident, concedes that the valley has changed, but its soul is still intact.
“It’s a whole lot different. It was a lot easier back then when you were younger,” Padilla said. “Now it’s a little difficult, but people need to see the light and get together and stop fussing and fighting, and enjoy life.”
So what is it that makes the South Valley special?
“It’s the people,” he said. “The people that were raised here. The people that were brought up here. They were all a family. We’re a straight up family, and that’s what everybody needs to see, that we’re a family.”
With his granddaughter in his arms, Padilla said one of the best parts of South Valley Pride Day is connecting with old friends.
“I like coming out here,” Padilla said. “I haven’t seen people in a long time. I get to see them — people I’ve gone to school with, people that are just business people, you know. You get to see the community members you grew up with.”
