10 | THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007
LAWRENCE
Sophia Ostlund, 6, and Amelia Cartarr, 7, dance together during La Fiesta Mexicana Friday night at St. John's church. The celebration raised money for local Catholic charities. The event included music, dancing and food while emphasizing Spanish-language education. "For me, I just don't think you can start too early on a second language," said Frank Lemus, a chair for the festival.
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26th annual Latin fiesta garners funds via food
Food and music celebrate community and cultural combo
BY TYLER HARBERT tharbert@kansan.com
A sign bearing the word "Bienvenidos" greeted hungry crowds Friday and Saturday nights at the 26th annual Mexican Fiesta at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Kentucky St.
The sign, which means "welcome" in Spanish, hovered above an already busy food line at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Frank Lemus, a church parishioner and chair of the festival, said the variety of Mexican dishes — such as tacos, tostadas and burritos — were the real draw for the hundreds of people who come to the annual event.
More than 200 volunteers helped with the festival this year, Lemus said, preparing dishes, selling T-shirts and standing in the small vendor tents for a few hours during the hot evenings.
The event featured two bands, Son Venezuela and Grupo Picante. Lemus said the salsa-style music was just another way to celebrate Mexican culture in Lawrence.
"I really think now we're a Lawrence tradition, not just a St.
John tradition," he said.
The celebration required a full year of planning. Lemus said, and the money raised at the event would benefit a new Spanish language class at St. John elementary school.
"For me, I just don't think you can start too early on a second language." Lemus said. "I'm not fluent in Spanish like I should be, so I want my kids to get a jump on it."
Elliot Bryant, a Haskell Indian Nations University senior, is a Navajo language speaker. Friday night he waited for Son Venezuela to begin playing so he could communicate through dancing.
"The music tells you how to dance," he said. "It moves you."
He demonstrated some of his dance moves, alternating his feet back and forth three steps at a time, and said he liked the similarities between Latin American and Native American dancing. Bryant planned to get some food and attend the festival Saturday also, and drink plenty of water so he could keep moving.
Judy Parker stood in a line for food early Friday, waiting to buy a
taco and a tostada before beginning work in the food building. The St. John Social Service Ministry worker and church attendee had attended each festival since 2000. She said her favorite aspect of the event was the sense of community it promoted that and the food.
"Everything is handmade" she said. "It's all good and fresh."
Marta Carvajal-Regidor and Gaby Otero, Lawrence High School sophomores, volunteered in a roasted corn booth for two hours, serving the hot treats with various seasonings.
The two volunteers, who attend a youth club at the church, said they were looking forward to their friends joining them Saturday to play carnival games at the festival. But first, they had to serve roasted corn and try not to enjoy too much of it.
"I like it the Mexican style and with lemon, Parmesan cheese, chili powder and mayonnaise." Carvajal said.
Edited by Ben Smith