By Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Beacon - R & M Promotions hosted the 13th Annual Latin American Festival at Riverfront Park in Beacon this past Saturday.
With beautiful blue skies and temperature’s in the mid 80’s, hundreds of people flocked to the park by the river to experience a taste of Latin culture. Just a short walk from the Metro North train station, many people arrived via the train. Some came from nearby Poughkeepsie, and other ventured all the way from New York City for the cultural event.
Eddie Ramierez, the event organizer, hosts several Latin American Festivals throughout the summer months. The next one will be in Kingston on August 10th, and the popular Hispanic Heritage Festival will take place in Poughkeepsie’s Wayras Park on September 13th.
What keeps Ramierez going after 13 years? The community. He credits his successful festivals to the community who continues to support him, year after year. "The community wants it so we have to give it to them. We’re the only one’s out there that can do it for them," he said.
Wappingers Falls residents’ Luz Oliveras and her daughter Bianca, were excited to learn of the Latin Festival. "It’s wonderful to have our culture represented like this," Oliveras said. The two had just walked through the park and were waiting at the park entrance for friends. They were surprised at the large number of vendors in the park, selling an assortment of items including Latin music, food, clothing and jewelry.
People attending the festival also had a chance to register to vote. While maintaining a spirit of political neutrality, the group Dutchess for Obama registered 40 new voters by mid-afternoon at the festival. Outside the park, Latinos for Obama and Barack Obama buttons, stickers, and more, were available to the "Latino and Latino-at-heart supporters" of Obama.
Attendance this year was also up, according to Ramierez. "People see this as their first major Latin event in the Hudson Valley," Ramierez said. He also credited the high cost of fuel for the increase in numbers. "People don’t want to travel to New York City. They’re staying closer to home. So they’ll come here, celebrate and have a good time."
And who could argue with the price - free! The entertainment package at this year’s festival featured the sounds of Cubanoson, Grupo Tianeri and Luisito Rosario and his orchestra. As the Latin sounds filled the air, festival-goers began dancing.
