¡Salud y Saludos!
One of the state’s largest Latino festivals is right around the
corner. La Fiesta del Pueblo is taking place this year at the state
fairgrounds during the weekend of September 10-11. If you’ve never
heard of this event, take note that it has grown every year--starting
in 1994 when about 2,000 attended to the roughly 60,000 who visited
last year. The event is put together by the Raleigh-based Hispanic
advocacy organization ‘El Pueblo.’ But the event wouldn’t be possible
without the help of more than 600 volunteers who work on everything
from posting signs to directing visitors around the grounds.
 This
event draws people from all sectors of the state...in large part
thanks to the diversity of exhibits, vendors and available resources.
Not only will you find all kinds of foods from Latin America and
the Caribbean--from Jamaican to Mexican-- you’ll also see businesses
ready to market their products to everyone attending. In addition,
you’ll learn about the latest work area non-profits are engaged in.
Looking for work? Expect to find a host of companies looking for
the most competent bilingual workers they can get their hands on.
And along with the job fair, you’ll also find a health fair section
where patrons can come and learn about ways to improve their health.
Various agencies involved in health care will be on-hand distributing
their information.
Anywhere you go it will be hard to escape the sounds of the festival.
Music is, and always will be, an integral part of any Latino festival.
Various bands will be striking their notes on more than one stage.
Dancing to the chords will be several members of the community
including high-profile dignitaries who are now well aware of this
event’s exposure and the unique opportunities afforded to strike
a chord with the audience.
For me, the event represents an opportunity to pass along vital
information to the public about all manners of resources that are
out there. Furthermore, as many who either know me personally or
have read enough of these columns know, the food the food and the
food is one of the main reasons I’m there! Several years ago when
I first attended, I had the chance to taste a wonderful drink made
out of milk and rice called ‘Agua de Horchata.’ It’s delicious!
You can find it in some Mexican restaurants. I highly recommend
this simple but tasty beverage that you might not have, otherwise,
ever heard of! (Once again proving that you can grow up in a very
Hispanic environment, like I did in Miami, but yet be unaware of
some of the wonderful foods of other Latino cultures--this beverage
is primarily a Mexican creation) There’s also the interesting cactus-related
plant called the Nopal. Given the dry, desert-like conditions of
much of Mexico, this plant grows easily there and is believed to
have been one of the first foods for nomads in the area more than
10,000 years ago. The plant also blooms the prickly pear--another
tasty product of this prickly plant. The Nopal can even be found
on the Mexican flag. Long story short, I didn’t think I’d ever
be eating cactus at a festival like this...but it happened!
If you have kids and are wondering whether this is a family-friendly
event, rest assured. The Niñolandia area will be just what
the children are looking for. An area full of games and that inflatable
jumping thing that kids (well, ok, and sometimes adults too) love
so much! So there will be plenty to keep them busy.
Perhaps best of all, this event which is one of the best in the
state showcasing Latino culture and full of fun for the entire
family comes at a small price: $2 per adult; kids are free. I’ll
be there both days!
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