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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 10, 1994)
Insight Members of Amlor Zapatos Alegres watch the older dance troupe perform at the Hispanic Heritage Festival. Photos by Michelle Paulman Hispanic pride Festival celebrates cultures By Jeff Zdleny Editor — As the 12-member Latino Contempo troupe danced the mambo, rumba, salsa, pasodoble and lambada, lines of people waited for a taste of empanadas, enrollados and churros. The sounds of those native Hispanic dances and the aroma of those ethnic dishes filled the air at the eighth annual Hispanic Heri tage Festival at State Fair Park. been coming to the festival since its beginning, and it was the highlight of Hispanic Heritage Month. Her entire family participates in the festival annually, she said, by dancing with the Senior Zapatos Alegres group. “We really take pride in our culture,” she said. “This is what we look forward to.” Others were trying to draw business from the festival. Terry Schwahn of Lincoln, who For 15 hours Satur day, music, arts, crafts and food entertained about 15,000 people gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. About 45 churches, organizations and businesses also displayed and sold their wares at the festival. At previous festivals, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln a_ Estovan Parra shows Ms prido with a “RAZA” cap. “La raza” moans “tho raco” In Spanish. ITIVAIVUII rilllvl IVUII Student Association has sponsored a booth to raise money, but this year, the focus was differ ent. A donation box for the family of Francisco Renteria, who died last week after a struggle with police, was placed at the MASA booth near the festival’s front entrance. Those donating received a red, green and white lapel ribbon, signifying the flag of Mexico. Renteria’s death, which has outraged the Lincoln Hispanic community, was on the minds of many attending Saturday’s festival. But festival chairman Elliott Rivas said it was a good way to bring the community closer. “The Renteria incident and the festival both unify the community,” Rivas said. Renteria’s death probably was on the mind of many, Rivas said, but it didn’t dampen the mood of the festival. Cameya Ramirez, a freshman criminal justice major, said she had co-owns the salsa company Dia mond S, set up a booth at the festival to introduce customers to his three-month old product. From green to mild to habanero (hot, hot, hot) salsa, samples of Diamond S were a popular item. “Everyone seemed to like it,” Schwahn said of the habanero salsa. The festival brought together people of many ethnic backgrounds, Rivas said, which is its purpose. From 10:30 a.m. Saturday until the early morning hours Sunday, dancing and music was nearly constant and could be heard throughout the festival. From the variety of Latino Contempo’s performance to the constant action and upbeat rhythm of the Tinkling Dancers, nearly every Hispanic culture was repre sented. “This really is something that the community feels as a unifying point,” Rivas said. Mexican heroes Jose Marla Morelos, ths Lady of Quadalupe and Miguel Hidalgo watch ever the Los Mendoza feed stand.