At Hispanic Fiesta, family, food, music
Music blared at the edge of the Delaware on Saturday as thousands of people swayed and salsa'ed during the 32d annual Hispanic Fiesta at Penn's Landing.
Music blared at the edge of the Delaware on Saturday as thousands of people swayed and salsa'ed during the 32d annual Hispanic Fiesta at Penn's Landing.
There were foods and paraphernalia galore for sale, from arepa flatbreads to empanadas and shorts emblazoned with Puerto Rican flags. Music emanated from the waterfront stage as people sipped piña coladas from pineapples and sucked down limber de cocos - a kind of coconut popsicle - to try to stay cool in the heat.
Concilio, the nonprofit council of Spanish-speaking organizations that organized the event, said it was expecting 30,000 people to attend the two-day celebration, with a popular Hispanic music act set to perform each night: Tony Tun Tun on Saturday and Tony Vega on Sunday.
On Saturday afternoon, the laid-back crowd was simply soaking in the family-friendly atmosphere.
"All these Latin people, different nationalities, get together, and people just have a good time," said Puerto Rico-descended Rafael Melendez, 37, of Juniata.
There is no shortage of outdoor festivals in the region during the summer: This weekend alone, area residents could choose from the Hispanic Fiesta, a Bastille Day celebration at Eastern State Penitentiary, a Caribbean festival in Camden, and a blueberry festival in Peddler's Village, Bucks County.
But the Hispanic Fiesta was special for many attendees because it gave them a chance to honor their heritage.
"Today, since it's Latino day, we represent Puerto Rico," said Luis Vera Jr., 35, of Roxborough, wearing a baseball jersey inscribed "Puerto Rico," with a Puerto Rican flag draped over his shoulders.
Vera was attending with his wife, Stefanie, 34, and two sons, ages 4 and 3. He said he appreciated the chance to celebrate all Latino nationalities.
"We respect everybody's culture," he said.
Frao Torres, 53, also of Puerto Rican descent, brought his daughter, and said he hoped it gave her a chance to appreciate her ancestry. Maybe in 20 years, he said, she'll bring her kids to the festival.
"We've got to keep our culture alive," he said.
The fiesta continues Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m.
While honoring heritage was a big factor for many attendees, the fiesta was a magnet for non-Latinos, too.
Maggie Swetkoff gave a quick answer when asked why she and her husband, Paul, from Northfield, N.J., had decided to come.
"Food," she said, cracking a smile.
