International Spanish Festival Returns to Rochester
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The fourth annual Juan and Maria's International Spanish Festival kicked off Sunday at the Rochester Public Market.
The festival, of which YNN is a media sponsor, is back by popular demand after a lengthy hiatus. Up to three thousand people were expect at the Fourth Annual International Spanish Festival.
"It brings people from all over the county, maybe even beyond the county, together from all walks of life," said festival goer Sue Reynolds.
The festival has been absent for eight years.
"It went away, not because of lack of business, but we just got so busy with Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop," said organizer Juan Contreras.
Contreras owns Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop. The Chilean-born Rochesterian says now it's time to bring back the annual fest.
"This is something we will definitely have to do every year," said Contreras.
The festival showcased the culture of twenty-one different Spanish-speaking countries.
"These are artifacts from Ecuador. These are typically what you'd find in markets in the streets in Ecuador," said vendor Tom Nicolay.
Nicolay says his family is from Ecuador.
"One of the most interesting things when we ever have something like this is we get to know other Ecuadorians and we get to meet so many people from Rochester who have been to Ecuador," said Nicolay.
Festival goers say the event is a good way to celebrate Rochester's diversity.
"When all the Hispanics unite, it's nice because it makes you feel like you're back at home," said festival goer Valeria Delgado.
Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop