Latino Festival promotes unity
6-2
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
PLYMOUTH � The most successful new festival in recent years, Corazon y Manos Latino Festival, is set to return to Centennial Park on June 21. Corazon y Manos means Heart and Hands, which is the name of the organization that sponsored the first festival at the Young Performing Arts Amphitheater in the park.
�The turnout was exceeded our expectations,� said Tony Woods, chairman of Heart and Hands, an organization working to assist Hispanics with making a smooth transition into the community.
Heart and Hands teaches English as a second language to Hispanics. It has also offered Hispanic courses to local residents, executives with area industries, etc.
The Heart and Hands Welcome Center in the Fellowship Hall at St. Thomas Church, is a clearing house to help Hispanics with problems like obtaining a driver�s license, finding employment, child care needs, educational and job training programs.
�A little bit of everything,� Wood added. �It is a place for people from the Hispanic community to go if they have a problem.�
The Latino Festival is one of the latest successful ventures by Hearts and Hands. Wood said organizers of the first festival were hoping between 800 to 1,000 people would attend the festival in 2002. More than 1,400 Hispanic and local residents converged on the park for the festival.
Heart and Hands, and the fest use education and awareness to promote unity.
Becky Griffy, Cross-Cultural Chair and festival organizer said the first Latino Festival was �an overwhelming success.� In addition to the number of people, there were few problems during the festival.
This year Heart and Hands expects a larger crowd. Griffy said more events and entertainers are lined up for the second fest, which will once again be held at the amphitheater and the surrounding grounds.
The Latino Festival will begin at noon and run until 10 p.m.
There will be non-stop music on the amphitheater stage. Griffy said there will be a DJ and bands like �Mariachi Acero,� �Flanenco Dancers,� �Vizion,� �Los Incognitos,� and �Carpacho.� Each band will do a set during the 10-hour event.
Griffy said the Latino Festival will also feature Latino crafts, authentic cultural foods, face painting, demonstrations, informational booths, and various events for small children such as art workshops.
There will also be health services at the event, including free blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes checks.
Griffy said the organizers are working to offer something for Hispanic and local residents of all ages.
The community has also stepped up to the plate to back Heart and Hands. There are more than two dozen sponsors for the festival.
There is no admission to the Latino Festival. For additional information, call 574-935-3846.
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