Fest celebrates patriotism

The annual Fiesta Patrias marks the independence days of Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

A patriotic festival — Fiesta Patrias — hosted by St. Mary’s Catholic Church drew more than 1,000 people to Ridge Ferry Park Sunday.

The daylong Hispanic heritage event, which featured Latin food, music and folk dances, celebrated the independence days of Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

“They’re not all the same day, but they are the same month,” said Ramon Alvarez, one of several people manning the Knights of Columbus outreach booth.

Mexico revolted against 300 years of Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810. Guatemala, El Salvador and several other Central American counties proclaimed their independence jointly on Sept. 15, 1821.

Alvarez said the festival has been running for about 20 years, although this is just the third year it’s taken up the whole side of the park by the stage. About 1,500 attended last year and he guessed at least that many came this year.

“This is one of the ways we learn to work with the families here,” Alvarez said. “A lot more of the community has started to come in. I see faces I don’t normally see in church.”

Rigoberto Martinez and his son Oliver Martinez, 6, shared a lunch while listening to the band. Rigoberto had a soft taco. Oliver, who attends West End Elementary, chose a hot dog.

Over at the booth advertising venta de frutas, Juan Orellana was topping the fruit cups he bought his family with a sprinkling of Tajin, a spice mix of ground chili, salt and lime.

A number of festivalgoers wore traditional costumes. Folk dancer Maria Bucio had on red, white and green — marking her Mexican heritage — and bright silk flowers twined in her hair.

“I like to wear colorful clothing here,” she said with a smile. “It shows pride in my culture and it livens up the atmosphere.”

Pepperell High School student Daisy Perez, the reigning queen of the festival, chose an intricately embroidered dress and softly burnished gold eye-shadow that matched her crown

She was catching up with her friend Melissa Miranda of Rome High School, in between helping the new girls competing for next year’s title. The event is a fundraiser for the church and the girl who sells the most tickets is named the queen to represent the parish.

“It’s all just a lot of fun,” said Perez. “It’s like a family barbecue with the whole community.”

ABOVE: Melissa Miranda (right) talks with Daisy Perez, queen of the Fiestas Patrias sponsored by St. Mary’s Catholic Church to celebrate the independence days of Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador with food, folk dancing and music in Ridge Ferry Park on...

LEFT: Juan Orellana (right) sprinkles Tajin, a seasoning mix of chilis, salt and lime, on fruit cups he’s buying for his family.

Photos by Diane Wagner, Rome News-Tribune BELOW: Felisa Vicente (right) has a welcoming smile for her daughter Brittney Vicente (left), 10, as her youngest daughter Daleyza Perez, 2, sucks on some ice at the patriotic festival.