Amid the blaring, pulsating music and the delectable aromas hanging within the air, deciding between dancing and consuming was a troublesome alternative.
After all, there was loads of time for each.
FirstEnergy Stadium performed host to the third annual Berks Latin Fest on Saturday afternoon. The occasion goals to spotlight the varied Hispanic cultures current in Studying and the encompassing county.
“We need to have fun the Latin tradition, the Hispanic tradition,” stated Aida Sanchez, one of many occasion’s organizers. “We wish individuals to expertise what it’s prefer to be Hispanic — the music, the meals, the dancing.”
The occasion — which organizers anticipated to attract about 7,000 guests — featured greater than 40 distributors unfold all through the stadium’s concourse, surrounding the principle stage the place 4 DJs took turns churning out Latin music. The meals stands represented completely different Spanish-speaking international locations and territories, starting from Colombia to Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic to Mexico.
Steven Stuleanic stated that he was thrilled with all of it.
“I’m not Hispanic, however I grew up in Studying and all of my neighbors, all of my associates had been Hispanic,” he stated. “I really like the music, I really like the individuals.”
Stuleanic, who talked about he has Romanian heritage, stated he was notably fascinated by making an attempt out among the meals on the occasion.
“All the things right here is so good,” he stated, including that he had his eye on some Puerto Rican delicacies. “The meals is all from scratch, it’s one of the best meals you may get.”
Angel Aponte stated he got here out to the occasion as a result of he thought it was a good way to bridge gaps between the completely different Latin cultures that exist in Studying.
“It’s nice to see one thing that brings our cultures collectively,” he stated. “It’s one thing optimistic. I at all times prefer to see extra of everybody’s heritage.”
Orlando Valencia, proprietor of the Colombian restaurant El Calvo, likewise stated he favored that the occasion offered a spot the place everybody may share a little bit little bit of who they’re and what they’re all about.
“It’s an excellent thought as a result of it’s the easiest way to place all of the cultures from the completely different international locations collectively,” he stated. “We could be collectively and do a great job collectively.”
