SCRANTON, Pa. — The sound of the Puerto Rican guiro. Instruments and music from a multitude of Latin cultures will be featured at the 2nd annual Nepa Latino Fiesta in Nay Aug Park this Saturday.
And behind it all, four local mothers who believe community encompasses everything.
"So we're all the heads. It's four amazing women. We're all in this, hands-on. It's all of us," said Elizabeth Rodriguez.
Elizabeth Rodriguez is the founder and president of Giving Back to the Community Group and the presenter of the NEPA Latino Fiesta. She wants all Scrantonians and beyond to experience this for themselves. "Scranton is a melting pot of culture. The diversity is incredible, but when you come to say Latinos, we're talking about so many different countries. So why not put it all into one day?"
One day full of cultural presentations and, according to organizers, a lot more Latin cuisine to choose from than last year.
Haa Hofmann, treasurer for Giving Back to the Community Group, says she can't wait for all the food. "I am a sucker for Alcapurias, so it's a really good time to know that it's going to be readily available."
Community resources, like health information from The Wright Center, will be available as well.
Kara Seitzinger is the Executive Director of Public Affair for The Wright Center. She says, "We're having our Driving Better Health Mobile Medical Unit to provide a vaccine and dental clinic. [This is] really integral and imperative to kids getting back to school having the necessary vaccines."
The second Vice President of Giving Back to the Community Group, Amy Morel says, "We really just want to have the community embrace our culture, learn more about it, try different foods, because the Latino community is very wide."
Morel says the Latino community in Scranton and surrounding areas is bigger than many people think.
"I'm really excited about the performers. The performers are the highlight of the experience. Last year, to see the crowd get together and like just wrap around them and cheer them on and all of the pictures. It was a beautiful moment, so this year, I'm expecting it to be just as nice," added Hofmann.
NEPA Latino Fiesta is Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. at Nay Aug Park.