From the music to the food to the activities, the festival gave Southeast Texans a chance to experience Hispanic culture firsthand.
BEAUMONT, Texas — An afternoon of food trucks, live music, dancing and even lucha libre wrestling brought the community together Saturday for Viva Beaumont, a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Performers say the annual event is a way to highlight tradition and pride.
“The month is in itself is just to remember our traditions and where we come from,” said Christian Morales with Mariachi Proyecto.
From the music to the food to the activities, the festival gave Southeast Texans a chance to experience Hispanic culture firsthand.
“We come out just to celebrate our tradition, mariachi, and just give people a sound of what mariachi sounds like here,” Morales said.
Morales has performed at Viva Beaumont for the past two years. He said it’s an opportunity to share culture with the whole community.
“I have a great passion of music and I like showing people our passion,” Morales said.
For Mexican Heritage Alumni dancer Rachael Broussard, the event carries even deeper meaning.
“I take pride in being Hispanic, and I celebrate throughout the whole year. It’s not just a month for me, it’s my life,” Broussard said.
This year marked the fourth year for Viva Beaumont. Emily Wheeler, director of event services for the City of Beaumont, said it’s part of a larger effort to celebrate the community’s diversity.
“The city of Beaumont focuses on celebrating all parts of our community. We do festivals throughout the year that celebrate different aspect of what makes this community great and this is just one of those opportunities to come celebrate with your neighbor,” Wheeler said.
Morales said he enjoys playing at Viva Beaumont because of the way the music unites people.
“It’s a really fun event to come to and just listen and experience some of the traditions and traits of Hispanics and not even just Hispanics, Cubans, and from all over the place as well,” he said.
Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins Monday and runs through Oct. 15.
