Inaugural Latino Fest brightens Canton's Centennial Plaza
CANTON – Brightly colored balloons, shiny piñatas and lively music brought smiles to many folks Saturday afternoon at Centennial Plaza.
The inaugural Canton Latino Fest featured myriad food and beverage options, as well as cultural clothing and craft vendors spread around the downtown plaza.
Inaugural event:'What better time ... than Hispanic Heritage Month?' Canton to host first Latino Fest
"We're Hispanic and don't see much diversity in our area," said Janneth Borunda, of Waynesburg, who attended Saturday's festivities with her children, Jaxon, 4, and Dylan, 2. "It's nice to come out and see people like us and get some good food."
The free event at the downtown plaza was planned to celebrate the Latin and Hispanic cultures in Stark County as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Featured at the festival were Latino food trucks, handcrafted clothing and artwork, information booths, a taco-eating contest and a mechanical bull.
Live entertainment was provided by DJ Big Junior; classic Mexican singer Daniel Padilla; Grupo Fuego, of Cleveland; and a group of six folklore teenage girl dancers. Kids were seen tumbling in and out of an inflatable bounce house through much of the afternoon and evening.
Padilla said he's been performing Mexican music for years around Northeast Ohio at parties, restaurants, county fairs and entertainment halls.
Sheily Valdez, of Dover, came out Saturday with her three children. A vendor serving Honduran food was her main reason for attending.
"I wish they could do something like this more often," Valdez said. "It's great to see all the people here."
Sponsors included Mexican Hibachi, First Christian Church, Poured Foundations of Ohio, Interbelt Nite Club, Craig Covey, LGBT & Diversity Pride Fund, El Campesino, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Ed Davila, Fresh Mark, Akron Children’s Hospital, Catholic Diocese, Lavender Lane, Pick’s At Portage Lakes, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Sol Mexican Restaurant.
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Latino Fest Centennial Plaza Hispanic culture
