Eldy Macariegos is looking forward to an ethnic festival planned later this month as a way for the people of her church, which has members from at least seven different Latino nationalities, to get to know their neighbors better.
"We would like to let everybody know we're here," said Macariegos, whose husband, David, is pastor of the Rey de Reyes (King of Kings) Church, 500 S. 4th St. "We'd like to share with them our culture and taste our delicious food."
Macariegos is also hoping to dispel some misconceptions the community has about its Hispanic residents.
"One of those things that I hear in this town is, they know Hispanic but they call us Mexican," she said.
Rey de Reyes members include immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador and Honduras, according to Macariegos, who moved here from Guatemala 11 years ago.
"Our culture is different. We have different music, food and clothes," she said.
Shattering stereotypes is one of the goals behind the first Ethnic Cuisine Street Festival, which will be held from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, June 26 on Cedar Street from Catherine to South streets, and on part of South Street.
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