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An estimated 4,500 people attended Warsaw's Celebraci-n Latina Saturday in Central Park, which honored the history and cultures of all Latin American countries.
On a hot day that reached 85 degrees for a lengthy period of the Celebraci-n, participants still enjoyed the festival's dancers, Mariachi band and other Latin-influenced musical groups. Live entertainment lasted the full nine hours of the Celebraci-n.
"The day went very well," Warsaw Parks Department Activities Director Janelle Wilson said. "The numbers weren't as high as expected in the earlier hours, but we attribute that to the heat. I saw many of the people who did attend during the afternoon were staying in the shade as much as possible."
Wilson said people became more comfortable as the day cooled and the final band of the night, Las Hechiceras de la Jungla, a female group from Chicago, drew a great response from the crowd as the festival came to an end.
Also available during the activities were food vendors selling ethnic dishes from numerous Latin countries, arts and crafts tents, and children's activities such as pi-ata contests and pony rides.
"The vendors were very pleased with the day's turn-out," Wilson said. "I received many compliments from people on how good the food actual was, so I know the food court worked well with the rest of the activities."
The event is scheduled again for next year and will take place again at Central Park Sept. 16, 2006.
