MUSCATINE, Iowa — A determined rain wasn’t as determined as the revelers on Muscatine’s riverfront Saturday.

More than 500 area residents came to enjoy an array of Latino entertainment and food during Fiesta 2008, the 13th annual celebrations of Mexico’s Independence Day.

Though originally scheduled to take place in the parking lot in front of Pearl City Station, the event was forced inside, due to a constant rain that began Friday and didn’t stop until Sunday.

The festival is a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 16.

Becky Garcia, president of Muscatine’s Cultural Celebrations Committee, said she was disappointed that the rain kept people away, but was pleased that “everyone who came had smiles.”

Garcia said more than 2,000 people attended Fiesta 2007.

Even though the rain forced the celebration inside, people at Pearl City Station still enjoyed a dance presentation and the antics of YoYo the Spanish-speaking clown.

This is the second year the Cultural Celebrations Committee hosted the Fiesta, which included a colorful display of cultural dances and folkloric dancing by the Quad Cities Ballet.

The Cultural Celebrations Committee is a multi-ethnic, non-profit organization aimed at celebrating the many cultures represented by Muscatine residents.

Lea Valenzuela, 13, of Silvis, Ill., was among the young boys and girls with the Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico who donned flowing, colorful dresses for the dancing presentations.

Lea’s aunt, Rachel Campos, also of Silvis, came to help Lea and the other dancers change costumes for the variety of dances they were performing. Campos said they knew about the celebration because Lea’s grandmother, Edna Valenzuela lives in Muscatine.

Lea said she began taking dance lessons a little over a year ago because she wants to help preserve the art of the Latino dance.

“It’s our culture,” she said.

Food was another important part of the event. Garcia said that not all the vendors who were lined up to serve at the Fiesta were able to make it because of the rain, but the spicy aroma of Latino fare still permeated the Fiesta.

Jose Alvidrez, a member of the Knights of Columbus Spanish Council, joined his fellow members in running one of the food booths that served tacos topped with fresh vegetables and a choice of salsa.

Menudo, a Mexican soup, and tamales were also among the foods sold by vendors.

Alvidrez said being part of the Fiesta gives his organization an opportunity to raise funds and he enjoys seeing people of various cultural backgrounds enjoying the event.

“This is a good way for our community to get together and celebrate Independence Day,” said Alvidrez, 51, who has been living in Muscatine for 32 years.

Armando Izaguirre, 40, of Muscatine, attended the festival for the first time Saturday. Izaguirre is an over-the-road truck driver and isn’t always home when the celebration comes around.

“I love this,” said Izaguirre. “I haven’t eaten yet, but my wife, Norma, says the food is pretty good, and I agree with everything she says.”

Izaguirre said he would like to see a show of horses at future Fiestas.

“That’s an important thing in our culture, and it would bring more people from everywhere to Muscatine,” said Izaguirre.

Early in the evening, the crowd made room for one another inside Pearl City Station to watch YoYo the Clown perform a comedy routine and magic tricks. YoYo invited children from the audience to assist him, making sure each one received a large toy as a thank you.

“The heartbreak for me is that so many people missed this clown because of the rain,” said Garcia. “But we’ll definitely bring him back next year.”

As his act ended, YoYo brought adults on stage and asked them dress up in some of the comical props he brought along in a trunk. The older people were also given thank-you gifts. The act was followed by a raffling of prizes for people who had purchased one-dollar chances.

Muscatine’s Los Cory band and Reflejo7 of the Quad Cities began performing around 8 p.m. under a tent on the sidewalk in front of Pearl City Station. Although the rain continued through the night, Garcia said spirits were high, and many people danced to the music on the sidewalk and parking lot area with no tents for cover.

“Everyone danced til 1 a.m.,” said Garcia. “It was fun to see everyone out there getting wet, and no one seemed to mind.”

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatine

At A Glance

The sponsors

Fiesta 2008 was sponsored by HNI Corp., Allsteel, Ascentra, Hola America, Monsanto, First National Bank and the Stanley Foundation.