In 1997, a group of university students in Atlanta, got together to 'bring-in' the Christmas season at the home of a mutual friend. They, together with other nationals of Trinidad and Tobago living in Georgia, were unable to return home for Christmas for various reasons. As any 'Trini ' would long for a communal atmosphere, food drink and revelry intrinsic to Christmas inTrinidad and Tobago, these nationals decided to create their own sense of a 'Trini Xmas' by paranging. Giving themselves the prominent name of Los Paranderos de Atlanta, these homesick 'Trinis' sang and made merry, going from house to house of friends and family with one cuatro and a multitude of makeshift instruments such as a bottle, spoon and grater. Perhaps, unable to pronounce the name, particularly in conditions of high spirit, or perhaps, in keeping with Trinidad dialect and penchant for the mundane, the name Los paranderos de Atlanta never 'took' and instead, the Atlanta community informally 'renamed the group referring to it as De Parangside. This name has stuck with the group ever since.

Over the years since its informal start, De ParangSide continued to delight and bring much needed joy and fellowship to many people in the Trinidad community during the Christmas season. The group expanded and began to take on a more formal approach. Organized practice was instituted on Sunday evenings weeks prior to the start of the Christmas season. Accomplished musicians and other instruments were incorporated into De ParangSide over time to support the voices. These included a guitar, box bass and steelpan. The informal approach to practice also gave way to a formal process of careful selection of music, detailed arrangements and routine.

In keeping with the Christmas season as a time of giving De ParangSide extended their regular house to house serenading to include singing for charitable events, local hospitals and nursing homes. The members of De ParangSide believe in doing service for the well being of others. We believe when we serve others, naturally we serve ourselves. In sharing our Parang traditions our Christmases away from Trinidad have become more special and meaningful over the years.