Organizers pleased with turnout for Latino fest
Entertainment, food, fun & great weather helped event succeed
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

ANDREW MILLER staff Mayra Caceres and her daughter Gabriella Chin, 4, of Freehold, watch dancers from under the shade of an umbrella at the third annual Latino festival in Freehold Borough. The event took place on McLean Street on Oct. 6.

FREEHOLD - Visitors to the third annual Latino festival had a chance to see and hear what has become a very real presence in the community - the music and culture of the Latino community in Freehold Borough.

After two years at the Park Avenue Elementary School, the festival moved to an open area on McLean Street across from St. Rose of Lima Church on Oct. 6.

Frank Argote-Freyre, chairman of the Monmouth County chapter of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, said an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 people visited the event. He said organizers were very pleased with the turnout.

"It has more than doubled from our first year when we estimated the attendance at 800 people," he said.

He said guests were from all backgrounds, although the majority were from Latin American countries. Argote-Freyre said Mayor Michael Wilson spoke to those in attendance in Spanish, "Disfruta el dia" (enjoy the day), he told attendees.

Also in attendance were Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine and members of the Community Information Committee Lisa Schofield and Steven Le Vine, as well as members of the Human Relations Committee the Rev. Andre McGuire, Sheryl Mott, Carol Lida, Juan Reyes and Cecilia Reynolds.

Argote-Freyre is also a member of the Human Relations Committee.

Candidates seeking county office also stopped by the event.

Schofield said the festival offers tremendous potential for learning about and developing insight into the various Latino heritages.

"This year's event provided attendees with music, food and traditional dancing from far-away nations and next year's event promises to be even more illuminating. It is and can continue to be an enriching cultural experience, especially for kids and adults who have a hunger for knowledge and appreciation for the humanities."

Steven Le Vine said the festival was an enjoyable event for "bringing together many informative community oriented booths to educate the public and many performers and food vendors to entertain and enlighten attendees about Hispanic culture and heritage."

Le Vine's father, Councilman Marc Le Vine, noted that the day was a beautiful one for an outdoor event. Temperatures were in the 80's on a bright sunny afternoon.

"There was much to see, do and eat. Everyone attending seemed to be having fun. The organizers did a terrific job in the planning and execution of their third installment of this entertaining and enriching event."

The Latino festival featured entertainment, food, inflatable rides, a pony ride and informational tables manned by representatives of many community and governmental agencies.

Jeannette Ayala-Dennery was born in Puerto Rico, but raised and educated in the United States. She now lives in Freehold Township. Ayala-Dennery visited the festival with her granddaughter, Janeen Maniscalco of Freehold Borough.

Ayala-Dennery said she enjoyed the festival and liked watching the youngsters take part in the games and rides. She said she is looking forward to next year's event.

"We believe the success of the festival paves the way for its 2008 debut in downtown Freehold. It will be a proud and inclusive day for all the residents of western Monmouth County," Argote- Freyre said.