Drifting down Ross Street for a few blocks the sound of salsa music and the lure of food smells and laughter attracted several thousand people Saturday to Red Deer’s first Fiestaval.
The block between 49th and Gaetz Avenues on Ross was turned into a multicultural event with many nations not only Latin represented in the crowd which ebbed and flowed with the almost continual music from 10 bands, dancers and singers.
Chura Montgomery of Red Deer opened the event.
She is a singer-songwriter and owns La Tienda Latina, a cafe and Latin specialty food store on Ross.
Christian Greiffenstein of the Calgary-based Multicultural Arts Society said during the height of the numerous activities in mid-afternoon, said the event was more than he hoped for.
“We were worried about the weather and if people would come out but it all turned out pretty well I think,” he said.
Even the dissipating smoke from British Columbia wildfires didn’t seem to bother anyone.
“I never heard any complaints about the smoke,” said Greiffenstein whose society hosted the event in partnership with the Downtown Red Deer Business Association.
There was no definited crowd tally since people came and went for the seven hours.
Orgainzers hoped to attract more than 6,000 people in total.
“Red Deer seems to be a most welcoming and friendly place. Everyone is so co-operative.
“We’ve been very happy with it so far. All the hard work put into it with planning and getting it going seems to have paid off,” he added.
A native Colombian Greiffenstein said the event is designed to show the city there’s a lot more to the Latin community than just people.
“We’re trying to show that we have a rich and colourful history of music, food, artists and a culture.”
He said the crowds prove that many people love Lain music and culture.
He said two out of three people appeared to be non-Latin.
“There is a big Latin community here but as you can see there’s people from all over the world walking around enjoying themselves.”
Donald Siderling, 74, of Red Deer said the setting was most appropriate.
He said Cenotaph with the First World War soldier standing atop it looking west was symbolic of what the two great world wars were about.
“Those soldiers fought and died for liberty and freedom not just for themselves and their countries but everyone.
“You can see it by the crowd which has Central Americans, blacks, Asians, English, Europeans, French and Arabs in it,” Siderling said.
Nine-year-old Amanda Running Rabbit said she really liked the music.
“It’s very nice. It makes you want to dance and sway. I also like the costumes of the dancers from Mexico,” Amanda said before heading off to the kid’s zone to dance and dance del limon where kids dance carrying a lemon with a spoon but not using their hands.
Greiffenstein said it’s too early to tell if there will be second Fiestaval next year.
“We have to work on funding.
“We know the business people have been working hard down here to promote the downtown and maybe this event helps some people realize the downtowns of Alberta cities are good places to live, shop and experience,” Greiffenstein said.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com