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Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
INDEPENDENCE -- Summer is coming to a close, but there's still time to party in downtown Independence this weekend.
A full slate of musical entertainment and other activities are on tap for the annual Mexican Fiesta in Riverview Park on Saturday, Sept. 4.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with performances almost every hour by a variety of Latino hip-hop, folk, pop and other bands.
An open talent show, a low-rider car show and a celebrity impersonators act are also scheduled, as is a rocket-making demonstration for children and families hosted by the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.
Authentic Mexican food booths and informational kiosks will be set up at the colonnade at the top of the amphitheater.
Admission is free.
The fiesta -- coordinated by the city of Independence and Companeros de Polk -- began more than 15 years ago as a local celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
As usual, a major purpose behind it is promoting unity, said Elena Pena, a Companerosmember.
"We're trying to bridge the communities in our area, between the Hispanic and other cultures," she said.
Booth spaces are still available for rent by calling 503-838-3518.
Proceeds from fiesta sponsors and vendors will go toward another important purpose: generating resources for Companeros de Polk's new community center at 769 N. Main St.
The organization has been seeking to create such a facility since it formed in 2002. The group received assistance from Monmouth attorney Joe Penna in renting the space, Pena said.
"It didn't matter if it was an old building that we could fix up or one that we just built," Pena said.
Pena said the center will be a place for education on social, economic and cultural issues -- ranging from family unity in the Hispanic community and drug prevention to tenants' rights.
"This will be for everybody, not just Latinos," Pena said.
Companeros is trying to attain nonprofit status and devise ways to generate revenue to keep the center running. The group will meet this month to outline missions and future projects.
Penasaid it has been difficult to generate interest in Companeros in the past without having a home.
"We were planning volunteer activities and didn't have a center to do it from," she said. "The fact that we have one now is awesome ... it's something real."
