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Fiesta Del Pueblo

by Jalil Isa

The State Fairgrounds has once again hosted what has become an annual tradition for many North Carolinian Hispanics living in the Triangle: El Pueblo’s Fiesta del Pueblo. In the past, it has been billed as the state’s largest Latino festival. And previous attendance numbers in the neighborhood of 50,000 people over the course of the two-day event lend weight to that claim.

This year was a bit different, however. The numbers were lower; the budget was smaller; and the event was scaled back. There were many reasons for this. But as expected, what was not lacking one bit was the Hispanic presence. The event featured the usual fare of Latin food, music, dance, games, giveaways, and—perhaps most importantly—educational information. Dozens of businesses and organizations had a stake in this popular event. They participated by reserving spots for booths that enabled thousands of Latinos to get an idea of the many services, opportunities, and products that are out there. Not only was this a good place to learn about potential job opportunities, it was also a great place to learn about health. A whole section of the grounds was devoted to this broad category. One of the most important lessons emphasized last year involved the terrible consequences of drinking and driving. As you may have read in previous columns, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all Hispanics living in North Carolina. The event also put me face-to-face with the segment of Latinos who have become involved in gangs, as they were noticeable to those who knew what signs to look for. It’s a sad reality to see gang-life become an outlet for so many young Hispanics, as it also has with non-Latinos across the country.

Despite this, the event was viewed as a success. What I enjoyed most about Fiesta was the number of different cultures that attended. At any given time, it was possible to see an Anglo-American individual who was there with his Honduran wife sitting next to a Brazilian lady married to an English gentleman. It was this kind of diversity in the crowd that added an international feel to the event—despite its undoubted Spanish focus.

Another favorite part of this annual event for me is, of course, the food. And even this seems to be drawing a broader variety of Latin nations. There were Chilean and Peruvian specialties this year. A few years back, I even tried Nopal there for the first time (this is the cactus plant which is commonly eaten in Mexico; the thorns are removed and it’s so much part of the Mexican culture that the plant is even displayed on that nation’s flag!). Furthermore, there’s always the new twist on something familiar.

This kind of event also brings together families. A large Niñolandia area kept the little kiddies entertained with clowns, dancing, games, and lots of inflatable rides—it was almost a small carnival. And since alcohol is not allowed anywhere on the premises, it promotes a family-friendly environment.

I love the fact that events like this which are held throughout the state in varying degrees of size can ultimately foster a greater understanding for those who are not yet acquainted with the culture. At the same time, it provides those who are new to the area an opportunity to see what kind of options are available in the community. The greater the understanding and education on both sides, the greater the probability of a successful outcome when people of different backgrounds find themselves living side-by-side. For those who can’t get enough of these kinds of events, another opportunity to expand our horizons will come in November when Raleigh’s annual ‘International Festival’ is held—also in the State Fairgrounds area. Maybe I’ll see you there.

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Last Modified: October 3, 2006