Mild late-summer weather made the ¡Viva Perry! Latino Festival 2022, sponsored by Hispanics United for Perry (HUP), a pleasure for young and old Saturday in Pattee Park.
Following the 10 a.m. parade down Willis Avenue, the park filled with food vendors, merchandise sellers, peddlers of public information and fun and games for the kids at the annual festivities.
Musical entertainment was provided by Texas-born Amanda Solis in a musical tribute to Selena along with DJ Lizz and DJ Luis Mejia, DJ Ángel, Del Cid, DJ Alidra and Los Dos de la Banda.
Perry Mayor John Andorf officially welcomed the gathering at 11 a.m. in the band shell in Pattee Park.
The 2022 HUP Organization of the Year Award was presented to the Perry Public Library in recognition of their central place in the cultural and intellectual life of Perry.
HUP President Rosa Gonzalez was joined by the HUP mother and daughter team of Cynthia Naranjo and Cynthia Naranjo in presenting the award plaque to Perry Public Library Director Mary Murphy.
The ¡Viva Perry! Latino Festival is the primary fundraising event for HUP, with proceeds supporting scholarships for graduating seniors and continuing education. The festival has been a regular feature of Perry’s social and cultural life since 1993. In its early years, the event was held on or around Sept. 16 in order to mark Mexican Independence Day.
If you would like to support the HUP scholarship fund, kindly direct your contribution, payable to HUP, to Rosa Gonzalez, P.O. Box 254, Perry, IA 50220.
