Hundreds of people flocked to downtown Milton Saturday to celebrate the vibrant Latino culture at Fiesta de Mayo.
The event featured authentic Latino food and music, children’s activities and displays by nonprofit organizations.
Joe Rosa, pastor of Congregacion Menonita Shalom, New Columbia, said the event was a dream come true. He had been looking for a venue for Latinos to share their talents with the community since he came to the Valley six years ago.
Fiesta de Mayo was born last fall when Standard Journal publisher Amy Moyer and advertising representative Tricia Dreese approached Rosa about co-sponsoring the celebration. From there, the event took off like wildfire with a number of community organizations stepping up to help make Rosa’s dream a reality.
Rosa said he was extremely pleased with the huge turnout for the event.
“I didn’t think it was going to be this big,” he said with a smile.
Rosa said he spoke with several people who traveled about two hours just to attend the event. He also noted that his church’s food stand sold out of all the Latino dishes it had prepared.
He added the Fiesta helped erase a lot of misconceptions people in the community have about the Latino culture.
“It makes you feel accepted,” said the pastor. “Like we accomplished our purpose.
“I hope next year gets bigger and we can offer more and have more Latino people involved.”
Moyer added it was a positive learning experience for the newspaper staff members who were involved in planning the celebration.
“Standard Journal is proud to be part of the festivities,” she continued. “I think this is an event Milton has needed for a long time.
“I think we had an excellent turnout for the first year. Better than expected.”
She said her staff members are looking forward to working with Rosa and other community members to plan next year’s event.
Keri Albright, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, had a table at the Fiesta filled with literature on services provided by her organization. She also had high praise for the celebration.
“I think it’s long overdue; I am very proud of the community of Milton,” Albright said.
“It was a perfect idea and a perfect time for the Valley to do it. I think in five years this event will be huge.”
Lindsey Williams, an English as a second language teacher in the Milton Area School District, served on the committee that helped plan the Fiesta.
Williams said she was thrilled to be part of the event as well as the support she received from the school district to volunteer on the committee.
“This has been such a learning event for our town and I wanted to be part of it to see our community grow and change,” she said. “Next year, I’m looking forward to being even more involved.”
Donna Bridge of Kingdom Kids Puppet Ministry was also delighted to be part of the festivities. Bridge also served on the organizing committee. Her puppet team gave their first presentation in Spanish on Saturday.
“It’s good for us to be able to see how other cultures live and reach out and touch them in love,” Bridge said. “It’s been exciting for us to be involved.”
Committee member Deana Clester of the Community Health Education Department at Evangelical Community Hospital said it was crucial for the hospital to be a part of Fiesta de Mayo.
“It’s important for us to reach out and know our community members,” Clester said.
She also noted that hospital staff members handed out more than 100 “Maya and Miguel” children’s T-shirts on Saturday. Clester and her co-workers also provided poison prevention information and free blood pressure screenings.
Organizations that played key roles in organizing Fiesta de Mayo included: Standard Journal, Congregacion Menonita Shalom, Evangelical Community Hospital, Bucknell University Multicultural Student Services, The Improved Milton Experience, the Milton Area School District, the YMCA, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the American Red Cross of Upper Northumberland County, Kingdom Kids Puppet Ministry, the Donald Heiter Community Center and the Community Alliance for Respect and Equality.
To become involved with next year’s Fiesta de Mayo, call the Standard Journal at 742-9671.