Lansing - More than just a fundraiser for Cristo Rey Church, Fiesta 2004 helped to instill interest in a rapidly growing minority population. The largest Latino festival in Mid-Michigan attracted around 20,000 people this past weekend to the predominantly Latino Catholic parish, at 201 W. Miller Road.
At the time of the church's founding in the early 1960s, Lansing's Latino population was fewer than 1,000. Now, it is Lansing's second biggest minority group, numbering more than 10,000 people.
Attending the church for more than 35 years, as well as the fiesta since it began almost 30 years ago, Fiesta 2004 director Hugo Romero said the Latino community in Lansing has always been very proud of its culture.
"It has been a proud community, even when it was a small population," Romero said. "Latino heritage is about being very proud of who we are and what we stand for."
The festival represented Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and other Latino countries via booths of authentic food, live entertainment and a variety of vendors in the marketplace. The parish also held a large outdoor Catholic Mass service.
The Catholic Church is an integral part of the Latino culture, Romero said.
"It really shows the true faith that the Latino community has," Romero said. "Faith is a big part of our culture and heritage."
As a native Guatemalan and the son of first generation Guatemalan parents, Romero emphasized the importance of passing down tradition and culture.
"The Fiesta is a great foundation," Romero said. "The pride the first generation provides to the second generation of kids growing up in America is very important."
Present at the fiesta last weekend for more than a business opportunity, Susana Castañeda, owner of Que Chispa! Mexican Products in Flint, said selling her merchandise was a way for her to connect to her heritage. She is half Mexican.
"All of my products are authentic Mexican products and selling them at the fiesta helps me to bring my culture out," Castañeda said.
Most of her merchandise consists of traditional folk art and pottery and comes directly from Mexican artisans. Castañeda travels all year long to sell the pieces at different festivals.
As a part of the entertainment venue of the fiesta, Super Grupo Aldaco keyboardist Danny Aldaco performed on Sunday afternoon. Being in the band and going to the fiesta are both family traditions.
Aldaco's father formed the original band, and Aldaco's brother is also in the act.
"It's important to stay in touch with your roots through music," Aldaco said. "The kids will at least know what kind of music Mexican people listen to."
The families of the performers stake out a spot in the audience every year.
"Grandparents will see the children up there dancing or singing, putting on great display of pride, and they're happy," Romero said.
With her group of friends, Lansing Eastern High School junior Mercedes Holguin tasted food and danced to the live music at the fiesta on Sunday afternoon. Attending Cristo Rey Church since she was a child, Holguin said she has always loved learning about her Chicano background.
"The fiesta helps keep the culture alive and shows people we exist in this community," Holguin said.
