El Zorro Radio Latino, the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, and the Utica Zoo are coming together to celebrate Mohawk Valley’s Latino community with Mesta Fiesta.
The announcement was made at a press conference on July 1 at the Utica Zoo.
Mindy Barstein, owner and general manager of 92.7 FM The Drive and owner of El Zorro Radio Latino 98.3 FM, 103.3 FM, said the Mohawk Valley has a vibrant and growing Latino community and events like these helps bring people together and share cultures.
“We started El Zorro Radio in November 2020 because we saw the need and growth in the Latino community,” she explained. “We’ve done a number of events like this. And with our partners, the next event is Mesta Fiesta at the Utica Zoo.”
Kicking off Aug. 7, Mesta Fiesta will include a number of activities and attractions, including a live mariachi band — Los Trio Cavales.
“We’ll have food by Tacos Don Fernando, a children’s parade and children who dress up will receive two free tickets for the zoo,” Barstein said. “It’ll also be a good chance to see the Utica Zoo’s Dino Discovery exhibit.”
Mohawk Valley home to refugees
The United States has always been a melting pot, and the Mohawk Valley is home to many immigrant groups and refugees, from Bosnia and Ukraine, to Karen and Latino — and so many more.
Barstein said the Latino people of the Mohawk Valley make up 15% of the market, and it has been growing about 38% a year.
“They’re bringing in fresh ideas, buying homes, and getting jobs,” she said. “They’ve been a great addition to the community, just like the Bosnians were 10 years ago.”
Sonia Martinez, executive director and co-founder of the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, said the Mohawk Valley is a mosaic of cultures, and events like this are important to bring people together.
“One of our main missions is to help unite our different cultures in the Mohawk Valley,” Martinez said. “We have over 40 languages being spoken, and the children get along beautifully, but we need to have more events where cultures can come together and share, so we can get to know each other’s customs and traditions, so we can all get along.”
To that end, everyone is invited to the Mesta Fiesta at the Utica Zoo. The event will take place in the zoo and all activities are included with the regular zoo admission.
Events include live music from Los Trio Caveles, the children’s parade, ambassador animal presentations, face painting, and more.
Children under two get in free. Children two to 12 are $9; People 13 to 61 are $11; and those that are 62 or older, a college student, and active military and veterans with ID are $10.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica Zoo to host Mesta Fiesta celebrating Latino community
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
