Sharing the culture

Central Park in Washington will come alive Saturday with all the sights and sounds of the annual Latino Festival.

Martha Hernandez, one of the event’s organizers, said that the festival is a chance for the Latino community to share its culture with everyone.

“It’s not just an event for Latinos,” Hernandez said. “It’s an event to share our culture, food, music and art with other members of the community who want to get to know our culture.

“It’s to share our culture and what we do to celebrate it.”

The day will be filled with music, art, food and fun.

“We have all types of events going on,” Hernandez said. “We will have lots of music and games. We’ll have a magician that will be there to entertain kids and adults. We’ll also have face painting for the kids.

“There are definitely a lot of events for kids and adults to enjoy.”

The festival gets underway at 11:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony with Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien.

The music kicks off at noon with the Mariachi Sirenas, an all-woman mariachi band.

Other musical performers include Angela Puerta at 2 p.m., a tribute to Selena at 3:30 p.m., Son Peruchos at 4 p.m. and Banda Tentadora at 6 p.m.

And there will be food … plenty of food.

The festival will have vendors serving tacos, tortas, burritos, tamales, corn, limonadas, mango ice cream and Puerto Rican food, just to name a few.

Hernandez said that, in the past, the festival was held in the summer in conjunction with the summer classics.

“We are celebrating a little bit different than we have in past years,” Hernandez said. “We are tying it in with Hispanic Heritage Month, which is in September.”

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 this year.

Hernandez said that the festival is a free family event and everyone is welcome.

“We are inviting everybody,” she said. “We want everyone to come out and have some food and enjoy the festival. They can bring a chair and enjoy the event with their families.”

Comments: james.jennings@southeastiowaunion.com