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Youngstown Spanish Heritage Festival raises money for charity, scholarships
YOUNGSTOWN
Despite inclement weather Friday and Saturday keeping down attendance at the sixth annual Youngstown Spanish Heritage Festival, organizers say they plan to continue the yearly celebration.
“It’s important to bring the community together to share our culture, out heritage and our great food,” said Victoria DeJesus of Campbell, festival president.
DeJesus and her brother, Carlos Rivera Jr., a Youngstown policeman, started the festival, which not only showcases the culture, heritage and food, but also raises money for scholarships and a charity.
Part of the event’s net proceeds are used for scholarships for two Latino students attending Youngstown State University. Anyone interested in applying for the scholarships can visit the festival website or call DeJesus at 330-398-0505.
Hospice of the Valley, where DeJesus’ father, Carlos “Kiki” Rivera Sr., was a patient, is this year’s charity.
This year’s event featured a local band and one from Pittsburgh Saturday, and local D.J. Kenny Reyes kept Hispanic music playing all day.
Other activities included karaoke and Zumba, and contests and games for the children, said DeJesus.
Food vendors included Deano’s Delights, Eli’s Barbeque, and Papa’s Puerto Rican Cuisine and Pizzaria, which has a restaurant at 3225 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, and recently opened another at 284 12th St. in Campbell, said Jeanette Morales of Campbell, co-owner of the family business.
This is the third year Papa’s, which has been in business for 24 years, has been at the Spanish Heritage Festival, Morales said.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 80900 and Scoutmaster Jessica Gonzalez of Youngstown were among volunteer helpers at the event.
The Troop 80900 members drew praise recently for using the money they had saved up to go to a water park this summer to go to West Virginia in June to help flood victims.
Gonzalez, who holds troop meetings at her home, said the girls were excited to help. The troop packed the van with girls and food and headed for West Virginia, eventually ending up in a little town called Maysel, W.Va., where they helped load and unload relief supplies such as bottled water, medical supplies and food.
And they are going to go to a water park this summer after all.
Gonzalez said Paul Klenowski, an assistant criminal justice professor at Clarion, Pa., University, heard about what the girls did in West Virginia and is treating them to a trip to Waldameer Park and Water World, an amusement/water park in Erie, Pa.