WHITING — The sounds and smells of Hispanic culture filled the air at Whiting Lakefront Park Saturday as a large crowd came by car and foot for the inaugural Empanada Fest, a brainchild of the newly formed Hispanic Heritage Organization of the city.
Whiting Councilwoman Rebeca Uñate Michko, D-2nd, serves as the group’s chairwoman and said she couldn’t believe the day of the festival she started planning last fall had finally arrived.
“I’m totally excited to bring the culture here,” said Uñate Michko.
He said he wasn’t aware of the city ever having an event to celebrate Hispanic heritage before, and if this year’s fiesta is a success, the plan is to make it an annual event.
The timing was perfect, as National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th.
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A full day of Spanish-flavored musical entertainment that included dancers, an all-female mariachi band, a salsa band and free salsa lessons served to create a lively atmosphere, and food was also a major focus.
There were not only empanadas but also tacos, quesadillas, burritos, elote and even BBQ and pierogi for different tastes.
Ricardo Muñoz is also a member of the Whiting Hispanic Heritage Organization and said it was nice to see the smiles on people’s faces as they enjoyed the party.
“It’s very rewarding to see it come to fruition,” Munoz said.
Munoz said the party can serve as a way to preserve Hispanic traditions.
“I think just the overall excitement that we’ve gotten through the planning process, especially this past week, just shows, I think, the need in the community, especially in Northwest Indiana, for festivals like this,” he said Muñoz
There was something for everyone at the festival: bounce houses in the family section, a beer garden, 18 craft vendors and 13 food vendors and food trucks.
Whiting’s Noah Watkins gave a hilarious interpretation of the popular character Mr. Pierogi from the Whiting Pierogi Fest.
The 12-year-old dressed up in a taco and sombrero costume and named himself Señor Taco.
The empanada concept is similar to a pierogi in that it is a dough filled with an infinite combination of savory or sweet fillings.
Esmeralda Velasco of Chicago and Bernice Calderon of Park Ridge came from Illinois after learning about the festival through Facebook.
They waited in a long empanada line, and Calderón said he would have liked to see more vendors selling the treat.
“But it’s his first year,” Calderon said.
Kristin Swallow of Highland tried the tacos while her son, Austin, had a tamale.
“We’ve been to the Pierogi Fest before and really enjoyed it,” Swallow said. “Everyone loves tacos, so we thought we’d go out and try them. And it looks like it’s off to a good start for the first one.”
Swallow enjoyed the lakeside location.
“This beach looks really nice,” he said. “We’ll have to come back here sometime.”
Heather Van Dommelen of Sauk Village, Illinois, was more than pleased with her food selection.
“These are the best tacos I’ve ever had,” he said, after sampling the offerings from the Flako’s Tacos food truck.
Van Dommelen liked that the party was held in the park rather than downtown Whiting.
“It seems to be a little more open,” he said.
PHOTOS: The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
Traditional costumes were among the items sold by vendors at the inaugural Empanada Fest held Saturday at Whiting Lakefront Park.
Paul Czapkowicz
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
A long line of people waits for an empanada vendor at the first Empanada Fest held Saturday at Lakefront Park.
Paul Czapkowicz
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
Noah Watkins of Whiting dresses up as Señor Taco at the Empanada Fest held Saturday at Lakefront Park.
Paul Czapkowicz
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
Yadhira Gonzalez of Whiting helps pour michelaguas for a customer at the Empanada Fest held Saturday at Whiting Lakefront Park.
Paul Czapkowicz
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
Dancers with Ballet Folklórico Yolotzin were among the acts that performed at the inaugural Empanada Fest held Saturday in Whiting.
Paul Czapkowicz
The first Empanada Fest celebrates Hispanic food and culture
Dancers with Ballet Folklórico Yolotzin entertain the crowd at Whiting’s inaugural Empanada Fest.
Paul Czapkowicz
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