WORTHINGTON -- The 15th annual International Festival showcased musicians and dancers from all parts of the world, including people who live right here in the community, Saturday at the Nobles County Government Center.
Visitors to the festival could choose from a wide variety of ethnic foods, listen to entertainment, shop for items from around the world, and get a caricature or a henna tattoo all while taking in the entertainment.
"We had a great lineup with a wonderful variety of cultures represented," said Cheryl Avenel Navara, who is the entertainment coordinator for the festival.
The first entertainment act of the day was a demonstration about a quinceanera, a special celebration that takes place when a Hispanic girl turns 15 years old.
Five local couples donned beautiful dresses and tuxes they have wore for past quinceanera celebrations. The word for this special day comes from two Spanish words -- quince means 15 and anos means years.
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"There are two distinct parts, a religious ceremony and a party," explained Nancy Landeros, an employee of Nobles County Integration Collaborative. "There are 14 couples who take part. Each couple represents one year of her life so far."
Landeros was glad that the group was asked to give a demonstration at the International Festival.
"I didn't realize how many people come to a quinceanera but don't know what it means," said Landeros. "Hopefully this gives a better understanding so when people get invited they know what it is about."
The five girls taking part in Saturday's demonstration -- Yuricza Arauz, Monica Campos, Nancy Duron, Vanessa Alvarado and Cynthia Sauceda -- were excited to wear their fancy dresses again. The group spent a month practicing for Saturday's event. Typically, the court practices for about two months when having a quinceanera celebration.
"I was excited to put on my dress and relive the moment," said Arauz.
The dress that Duron wore Saturday was purchased in Aguascalientes, Mexico -- the town where she had her quinceanera celebration.
"We had my quince in Mexico because my mom's side of the family all lives down there," said Duron. "I had one week to find my dress."
The girls were escorted by Carlos Casarez, Daniel Alvarado, Jesus Wheeler, Jose Juarez Jr. and Antonio Casillas. First, the couples danced a waltz. Then Alvarado shared a dance with her father.
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At the party, the couples dance a surprise dance. They changed attire and danced to Tao Tao, a cumbia inspired by Texas rhythm.
A local African children's dance group also took the stage Saturday. Aida Simon and Fayise Abrahim coordinated the effort. Dancers were Lisa Koma, Adyiam Kimbrough, Selam Salim, Lula Koma, Marina Guzman and Rosie Jackson.
"It was fun," said Guzman. "I was kind of nervous but it was fun."
The final group of local talent was a group of women who met at evening Even Start classes. They put together a dance for a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the school and the idea grew from there. They later danced at a Mother's Day celebration; they call themselves Veracruz dancers.
"We were excited to dance in front of a lot of people," said Maria Rodriguez. "We do love to dance."
Other members of the Veracruz group are Blanca Rodriguez, Yuridia Gutierrez, Mayra Garcia and Rosalina Guerra.
The final group of the evening, Salsabrosa, brought three-time Latin Grammy nominee Viviana Pintado to town. Pintado, a native of Cuba, now lives in Minneapolis and performs there on a weekly basis on the local Latin salsa scene. She was joined by Shai Hayo, who played the congo drums, and Matt Darling, who played trombone.
"Cuban salsa is different from other salsa," said Darling. "It has jazz mixed with traditional Cuban music."
