Each time Mexico scored in its World Cup match against Czechia on Wednesday, June 24, the cheers from hundreds of fans could be heard more than five blocks away from the Zócalo Food Truck Park.
Around 600 people dressed in red, white, and green gathered at Zócalo on South 6th and West Pierce Streets to watch Mexico beat the Central European country three to zero.
During each break in the game, fans danced to live music by the local Spanish rock band, Calakas Sonoras, ran to the bar to buy enough drinks for a soccer team, and sampled dishes from around the world at the food trucks.
One fan, Farit Kuri Azamar, 31, who immigrated from Mexico at age 5, has watched six World Cup games at the south side food truck park, including all of Mexico’s matches. He keeps coming back because, to him, it’s the best place to root for his home country.
“The second game was almost a religious experience,” Azamar said. “It was such a beautiful display of Mexican pride and spirit.”
Since the start of the summer, Zócalo has gone from being open six days per week to hosting visitors every day, transforming its parking lot into a premier spot for World Cup watch parties. Each game attracts hundreds of patrons, and staff have added extra seating and live music to make sure the space is safe and enjoyable for all, according to Samantha Berry, Zócalo’s event coordinator.
“Soccer naturally brings people together, especially around the time of the World Cup,” Berry said. “We wanted to create a place where fans of all backgrounds can come and celebrate.”
Fans from near and far gather at Zócalo
Ana Clara Torres immigrated from Brazil two years ago, and even though her native country’s team wasn’t playing on June 24, she came to Zócalo from her home in Waukesha to watch the game.
She has watched three World Cup games at Zócalo this summer and said that being there helps her meet new friends as a recent arrival in the United States.
“Everyone’s so friendly, the food is amazing, the beer is cold, and I have a good time,” Torres said.
Some fans traveled from neighboring states just to watch a soccer game at Zócalo.
Youseif Asad, 20, traveled from Waukegan, Illinois, to watch the game with his cousin, Isa Abdeljaber, who lives in Milwaukee.
While he’s not Mexican, Asad said he enjoyed seeing the similarities between Mexican culture and his own Palestinian culture.
“I like seeing their hype and the confidence they have,” Asad said of the fans at Zócalo on Wednesday. “Even though my country is not involved in the World Cup, watching a country that’s very similar to my culture and the people who I grew up with, I feel very welcome.”
Wisconsin State Rep. Pricilla Prado was also at Zócalo on Wednesday, cheering for team Mexico and dancing alongside fans.
“This is just a drop of what the immigrant community brings to Wisconsin,” Prado said of the celebration.
Food vendors fuel the celebration
The World Cup watch parties have brought a surge in customers to the south side food truck park.
According to Berry, Mexico’s game against South Korea on June 18 drew nearly 800 patrons.
Leo Farfan, who owns the Anytime Arepa food truck and serves up Venezuelan fare year-round, said food sales have increased by around 25% since the start of the global tournament.
While Mexico’s games draw some of the biggest crowds, according to Farfan, every game brings soccer fans from all backgrounds, including fans from his native Venezuela, which isn’t participating in the World Cup.
On Monday, June 22, fans at Zócalo cheered as Argentina met Austria on the field and Lionel Messi broke Miroslav Klose’s all-time record for most goals scored in the World Cup.
“People love it here, we see a lot of the community coming around with family members. We all get together here,” Farfan said. “I hope people keep coming to enjoy the good vibes.”
Taaj Oakes, an employee at Nadi Plates, an Italian street-food truck that sells pizzas and calzones, said that even during his daytime weekday shifts, groups of people show up to watch the games.
“It’s fun hearing people cheer,” Oakes said. “It feels good to be able to provide food so people can lock in and enjoy … we send them into their game experience with positive energy.”
Alyssa Salcedo covers Silver City, Layton Park and Burnham Park for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact her at asalcedo@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hundreds of fans gather to watch the World Cup at south side bar
Reporting by Alyssa N. Salcedo, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa N. Salcedo, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
