What better food to unite Hispanic and Latin cultures than the Empanada, a fried or baked pastry shaped like a crescent moon. The cultures came together at the Third Annual Whiting Empanada festival. The Whiting Empanada festival, created as a scholarship fundraiser, brings the celebration of Hispanic Culture to the community.
Adi Cruz, Board Member of the Whiting Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Parks Superintendent, oversaw the logistics of the event.
“This is important to have something to celebrate culture,” Cruz said. “It is important to have friends and family, the community members of Whiting, and people from all over to have something that they can feel welcomed and celebrated. They can have food, drinks, and bring their family. Having this venue with the beautiful lake view showcasing the park has been amazing.”
Rebecca Uate Michko is the President and Founder of the Whiting Hispanic Heritage Foundation and has been a Whiting council woman for 22 years.
“This is my city. As the only Hispanic on the council, this culture was something I have been wanting to share,” Uate Michko said. “My mom was the first one to own a home in Whiting over 70 years ago. I felt like I was losing my culture and then saw that the Hispanic culture kept growing here. We started this nonprofit organization raising money for scholarships. The first year we planned the fest, we were looking at a picnic but through the help of sponsors it grew to this.”
With local small businesses on display, the fest boasted 17 Food and 22 Craft vendors. There was live entertainment, and games as well.
Aurora Gutierrez was performing with the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago. The group was showcasing various forms of dance throughout Hispanic culture.
“I love showcasing my culture,” Gutierrez said. “It’s not something that we get to see everyday. It's a great way to connect back to my roots. It’s not everyday we get to celebrate being Mexican and it’s a great way to show people what our culture is about.”
Emmeline Raines, business owner and healer of Power Flow Within, was there with her business “Makeup By Me Face Painting.” She was there to share energy and create smiles on the faces of children. It was her first time as a vendor at the event.
“The culture I am witnessing is beautiful,” Raines said. “It is so colorful, and the food looks delicious.”
Raines planned to walk around and sample the food later in the festival.
Uate Michko wanted everyone to know that events like the Empanada fest could not happen without a lot of support. Uate Michko was grateful to Mayor Spebar, the sponsors and volunteers.
“There is a lot more to Hispanic culture that needs to be shown. The sponsors and volunteers are huge for us. Thank you to the mayor for giving me the go ahead,” Uate Michko said.
To learn about more events visit whitingindiana.com.
